Dimensions of the Model of Effort-Reward Imbalance

1. Extrinsic Effort

• time pressure (12)
• interruptions (13)
• responsibility (14)
• pressure to work overtime (15)
• physically demanding (16)
• increasing demands (17)

2. Low Reward

Esteem Reward

• respect (18, 19, 26)
• adequate support (20)
• unfair treatment (21)

Monetary Gratification

• salary and efforts (28)

Status Control

• promotion prospects (23, 27)
• undesirable change (22)
• job insecurity (24)
• status inconsistency (25)

3. Intrinsic Effort

Scale

• need for control (immersion) (29-57)

Subscales

• need for approval (29,39,41,45,46,53)
• competitiveness (30,33,34,40,49,54)
• disproportionate irritability (31,36,37,42,47,50,51,56)
• inability to withdraw from work (32,35,38,43,44,48,52,55,57)

Overall, the above classification of items is based on results from main component factor analysis. Results related to the dimensions of intrinsic effort and reward indicate the following factors: one factor "intrinsic effort" (12-17), and three "reward" factors (esteem reward) (18-21,26) "job promotion and salary" (23,27,28), "job instability" (22,24,25). Results related to dimensions of intrinsic effort indicate a one factor solution "immersion" (29-57) based on the four uni-dimensional subscale items mentioned.

The following guidelines concern information obtained from work-related questions II and III. However, information derived form work-related questions I is important as well for the following reasons:

• to define relevant socioeconomic (e.g. occupational standing) and sociodemographic (e.g. age, sex) subgroups for which the ERI-model may be particularly relevant, and subsequently
• to include this information into statistical modeling techniques (e.g. hierarchical modeling, LISREL)
• to find additional support for validation of subjective ratings (e.g. characteristics of work-related efforts)

The following guidelines on coding and statistical analysis reflect our current state, to the best of our knowledge. They are based on statistical analyses of several data sets obtained from prospective and cross sectional studies. Of course, further developments are expected to occur. Right now, we propose to work with the following two aggregate measures:

• ratio of extrinsic effort and reward
• sum score of intrinsic effort

These two measures enter statistical analyses as predicting variables both independently and in combination.

We kindly ask you to answer the following questions and statements. By doing so you contribute to a better scientific understanding of associations between modern working life and health. Thank you in advance!

1. What is the year of your birth?	19_____ year
2. What is your gender?	male female
3. How many years of school or college education do you have?	________ years
4. What is your current employment situation?	employed unemployed (up to 6 months) unemployed (for more than 6 months retired other (please specify): _______________________________________
5. What is your current (or last) occupation?	please specify: __________________________________
6. What is your position at work?	manager supervisor / foreman employee, non-manual employee, manual self-employed
7. In which sector is your current employment?	public sector private sector
8. How many years have you worked in your current employment?	______ years
9. Apart from your main employment, do you have any other jobs?	yes no
10. In total, how many hours a week do you spend working for pay?	______ hours
11. Are you scheduled on shift work?	yes, but without nightshift yes, with night shift no

For each of the following statements, please indicate whether you agree or disagree with it. If you agree (questions 1-6, 10-13) or disagree (questions 7-9, 14-17) please also indicate how much you are generally distressed by this situation (1 = I am not at all distressed; 2 = I am somewhat distressed; 3 = I am distressed; 4 = I am very distressed). Thank you for answering all statements.

Please indicate to what extent (1 = strongly disagree; 2 = disagree; 3 = agree; 4 = strongly agree) you personally agree or disagree with these statements. Thank you for answering all statements.

29. I usually take criticism very seriously.	1 2 3 4
30. I am fueled by ambition.	1 2 3 4
31. Even the slightest interruption bothers me.	1 2 3 4
32. If something needs to be done right I'd better do it myself.	1 2 3 4
33. I enjoy proving certain people wrong	1 2 3 4
34. Always being a little better or faster than others is sort of a game to me.	1 2 3 4
35. I can get very upset when someone keeps me from what I'm supposed to be doing.	1 2 3 4
36. I can get very upset with others more often than I should.	1 2 3 4
37. I get easily overwhelmed by time pressures at work.	1 2 3 4
38. I start thinking about work problems as soon as I get up in the morning.	1 2 3 4
39. I get angry with myself when I can't completely resolve a problem at work.	1 2 3 4
40. I don't let others do my work.	1 2 3 4
41. I get especially frustrated when my work is not properly appreciated.	1 2 3 4
42. I can get furious if someone doesn't understand me the first time.	1 2 3 4
43. When I get home, I can easily relax and forget all about work.	1 2 3 4
44. People close to me say I sacrifice too much for my job.	1 2 3 4
45. I only feel successful when I perform better than I expected.	1 2 3 4
46. Other people have confidence in my ability to handle difficult tasks.	1 2 3 4
47. I do everything possible to be in control.	1 2 3 4
48. My family or private life comes first, then work.	1 2 3 4
49. I get furious when anybody questions my competence.	1 2 3 4
50. I don't usually get annoyed when my work routine is interrupted.	1 2 3 4
51. I always want more than I can get.	1 2 3 4
52. Work is usually still on my mind when I go to bed.	1 2 3 4
53. The slightest compliment really boosts my confidence.	1 2 3 4
54. I don't feel angry when others do better than me.	1 2 3 4
55. Every once in a while, I like it when others keep me from working.	1 2 3 4
56. I am always mentally prepared to do what needs to be done next.	1 2 3 4
57. If I put off something that needs to be done today, I'll have trouble sleeping at night.	1 2 3 4