Perceived work intensity and activity latitude: Development and validationof a questionnaire (FIT)

Karasek's two-component model on the connection between job demands and act ivity/decision latitude at work in relation to health impact has kept its a ctuality over the past years. In the following paper a questionnaire based on Karasek's model will be introduced. Results concerning its development a nd validity will be discussed. It is recommended to use the questionnaire a s a screening method to evaluate work situations in relation to health impa ct. The validity of the model in question is proved in independent samples (N = 526). The results emphasize significant correlations between enlarged perc eived activity latitude and improved health. Whereas increased work intensi ty comes along with psychosomatic complaints and increasing symptoms of ove rload. However, the empirical results did not support the hypothesis of an interaction between work intensity and activity latitude. Hence, more sophi sticated models differentiating between components of activity latitude as well as an objective approach to analysis are needed to develop valid measu res of job redesign.