Occupational risk perception: A scale development study

Background and objective: The determination of occupational risk perception is the basic tool for making attitude and behaviour changes, for improving health and safety sense. In the present paper, we aim to develop a reliable and valid occupational risk perception measurement.Methods: Cross-sectional survey design was used in the 2015-2016 academic year with a sample of involved students studying in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades (N = 439). 423 nursing students was recruited in the study. We evaluated the reliability and validity, consistency by using explanatory and confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach’s alpha values and The Pearson correlation coefficients of the new scale.Results: After the explanatory factor analysis the scale was composed of 17 items and 3 subscales which named psychological and ergonomic risks subscale and person and institution-related risks subscale and the physical environment subscale. The Cronbach’s alpha of the scale was 0.826. The scale’s confirmatory factor analysis showed good conformance.Conclusions: The scale is a valid and reliable measurement tool for measuring occupational risk perceptions among nursing students. This scale is used to determine the occupational risk perceptions in the field of healthcare.