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A New Academic Quality at Work Tool (AQ@workT) to Assess the Quality of Life at Work in the Italian Academic Context

Author

Listed:
  • Margherita Brondino

    (Department of Human Sciences, University of Verona, Lungadige Porta Vittoria 17, 37129 Verona, Italy)

  • Fulvio Signore

    (History, Society and Human Studies Department, University of Salento, Via di Valesio 24, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Agnese Zambelli

    (Department of Education Studies “Giovanni Maria Bertin”, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Zamboni 33, 40126 Bologna, Italy)

  • Emanuela Ingusci

    (History, Society and Human Studies Department, University of Salento, Via di Valesio 24, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Silvia Pignata

    (STEM Unit, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Boulevard, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia)

  • Amelia Manuti

    (Department of Education, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari, Palazzo Chiaia Napolitano Via Crisanzio 42, 70121 Bari, Italy)

  • Maria Luisa Giancaspro

    (Department of Education, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari, Palazzo Chiaia Napolitano Via Crisanzio 42, 70121 Bari, Italy)

  • Alessandra Falco

    (Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padova, Via 8 Febbraio 2, 35122 Padova, Italy)

  • Damiano Girardi

    (Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padova, Via 8 Febbraio 2, 35122 Padova, Italy)

  • Dina Guglielmi

    (Department of Education Studies “Giovanni Maria Bertin”, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Zamboni 33, 40126 Bologna, Italy)

  • Marco Depolo

    (Department of Education Studies “Giovanni Maria Bertin”, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Zamboni 33, 40126 Bologna, Italy)

  • Barbara Loera

    (Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Via Verdi 10, 10124 Turin, Italy)

  • Daniela Converso

    (Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Via Verdi 10, 10124 Turin, Italy)

  • Sara Viotti

    (Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Via Verdi 10, 10124 Turin, Italy)

  • Andreina Bruno

    (Department of Education Sciences, University of Genoa, 16128 Genova, Italy)

  • Silvia Gilardi

    (Department of Labour and Welfare Studies, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy)

  • Michela Cortini

    (Department of Psychological Sciences, Health and Territory, University G. d’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy)

  • Francesco Pace

    (Department of Economic, Business and Statistic Science, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy)

  • Vincenza Capone

    (Department of Humanities, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80138 Napoli, Italy)

  • Silvia Platania

    (Department of Educational Sciences, Section of Psychology, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy)

  • Margherita Zito

    (Department of Business, Law, Economics and Consumer Behaviour “Carlo A. Ricciardi”, Università IULM, Via Carlo Bo 1, 20143 Milan, Italy)

  • Margherita Pasini

    (Department of Human Sciences, University of Verona, Lungadige Porta Vittoria 17, 37129 Verona, Italy)

  • Massimo Miglioretti

    (Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy)

  • Giuseppina Dell’Aversana

    (Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Carrus

    (Department of Cultural and Educational Studies, University of Roma Tre, Via del Castro Pretorio 20, 00185 Roma, Italy)

  • Paola Spagnoli

    (Psychology Department, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy)

Abstract

The present study provides evidence for a valid and reliable tool, the Academic Quality at Work Tool (AQ@workT), to investigate the quality of life at work in academics within the Italian university sector. The AQ@workT was developed by the QoL@Work research team, namely a group of expert academics in the field of work and organizational psychology affiliated with the Italian Association of Psychologists. The tool is grounded in the job demands-resources model and its psychometric properties were assessed in three studies comprising a wide sample of lecturers, researchers, and professors: a pilot study (N = 120), a calibration study (N = 1084), and a validation study (N = 1481). Reliability and content, construct, and nomological validity were supported, as well as measurement invariance across work role (researchers, associate professors, and full professors) and gender. Evidence from the present study shows that the AQ@workT represents a useful and reliable tool to assist university management to enhance quality of life, to manage work-related stress, and to mitigate the potential for harm to academics, particularly during a pandemic. Future studies, such as longitudinal tests of the AQ@workT, should test predictive validity among the variables in the tool.

Suggested Citation

  • Margherita Brondino & Fulvio Signore & Agnese Zambelli & Emanuela Ingusci & Silvia Pignata & Amelia Manuti & Maria Luisa Giancaspro & Alessandra Falco & Damiano Girardi & Dina Guglielmi & Marco Depolo, 2022. "A New Academic Quality at Work Tool (AQ@workT) to Assess the Quality of Life at Work in the Italian Academic Context," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-22, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:6:p:3724-:d:775969
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Adam R. Szromek & Radosław Wolniak, 2020. "Job Satisfaction and Problems among Academic Staff in Higher Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-38, June.
    2. Marialuz Arántzazu García-González & Fermín Torrano & Guillermo García-González, 2020. "Analysis of Stress Factors for Female Professors at Online Universities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-13, April.
    3. Goo Chuan-Chiew & Magdalene Ang Chooi Hwa & Goi Mei Teh, 2018. "Work Intensification and Turnover Intention in Academia: The Mediating Role of Work-Life Balance," Journal of Asian Scientific Research, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 8(5), pages 188-196.
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    5. Jiri Mudrak & Katerina Zabrodska & Petr Kveton & Martin Jelinek & Marek Blatny & Iva Solcova & Katerina Machovcova, 2018. "Occupational Well-being Among University Faculty: A Job Demands-Resources Model," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 59(3), pages 325-348, May.
    6. Goo Chuan-Chiew & Magdalene Ang Chooi Hwa & Goi Mei Teh, 2018. "Work Intensification and Turnover Intention in Academia: The Mediating Role of Work-Life Balance," Journal of Asian Scientific Research, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 8(5), pages 188-196, May.
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