Development and Psychometric Validation of the Self-Administered Stress Questionnaire (SASQ) Among NCR Employees

Abstract

The assessment of occupational stress requires valid, reliable instruments suited to the specific socio-cultural context in which they are applied. This study presents the development and psychometric validation of the Self-Administered Stress Questionnaire (SASQ), a 19-item tool designed to assess job-related stress among employees in India’s National Capital Region (NCR). The instrument was developed through a rigorous, theory-driven process and subjected to reliability testing, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). A sample of 392 employees participated in the validation phase. The SASQ demonstrated strong internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.954), robust factor structure, and good model fit indices in CFA. Four underlying constructs were identified: Work Demands and Workload, Organizational Structure and Support, Recognition and Rewards, and Work-Life Balance and Well-being. The findings support the SASQ as a valid and reliable instrument for assessing occupational stress in organizational settings across the NCR.