Measuring safety climate in acute hospitals: Rasch analysis of the safety attitudes questionnaire

Abstract

Background: The Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ) is commonly used to assess staff perception of safety climate within their clinical environment. The psychometric properties of the SAQ have previously been explored with confirmatory factor analysis and found to have some issues with construct validity. This study aimed to extend the psychometric evaluations of the SAQ by using Rasch analysis. Methods: Assessment of internal construct validity included overall fit to the Rasch model (unidimensionality), response formats, targeting, differential item functioning (DIF) and person-separation index (PSI). Results: A total of 420 nurses completed the SAQ (response rate 60 %). Data showed overa..