Validation of the Korean Decent Work Scale Short Form (K-DWS SF) using the Bifactor Model

Objectives This study is aimed to construct and validate a shortened version of the Korean version of the Decent Work Scale (KDWS; Nam & Kim, 2019) based on the Psychology of Working Theory(PWT). Methods Following the suggestion of previous research (Duffy et al., 2024), negative items were rephrased into positive items following the suggestions of previous research and confirmatory factor analysis was conducted using a Bifactor model. Among the items belonging to each subfactor, one item was selected based on the highest loading of the general factor, and a total of five items were selected to form a shortened scale. Results The correlation analysis showed that the K-DWS shortened scale was highly correlated with the original K-DWS scale. The correlation pattern between the shortened scale and the criterion variable is similar to that of the original scale and the criterion variable, confirming that the shortened scale faithfully reflects the original scale. Finally, the results of equivalence verification by age and gender groups suggested that equivalence by age was confirmed, but equivalence by gender was partially confirmed. Conclusions The K-DWS SF is significant in that it provides a short and easy way to measure decent work characteristics.