The Dimensionality of Work Autonomy Revisited

An attempt was made to replicate previous successful efforts to construct three subscales measuring different facets of work autonomy. Compared to previous attempts, where cross-occupational samples were taken, the present study drew from a relatively homogeneous sample of dental hygienists (n = 89). Factor analysis failed to replicate the three distinct subscales. Rather, one single nine-item measure of autonomy was formed which, for construct and divergent validity purposes, was predictably associated with variables with which theoretically it should be associated, and was predictably not associated with variables with which theoretically it should not be associated. Implications for the further development of a multidimensional measurement of work autonomy are discussed.