Psychometric Evaluation of The Thai Version of Emotional Labor Scale (T-ELS) in Thai Nurses

Authors

Vachira Posai, Health Sciences and Clinical Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand,
Wisarut Srisintorn, Department of Family Medicine and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand.Follow
Paramee Thongsuksai, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
Chanokporn Jitpanya, Department of Adult and Gerontological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Suan Dusit University, Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract

Background: Nurses often face emotional strain due to emotional labor (EL), which involves concealing or modifying genuine feelings to meet their job requirements. This response can lead to physical, psychological, and behavioral issues. The Emotional Labor Scale (ELS), originally in English, has not been translated into Thai, leaving its psychometric properties unexamined in the Thai context. This study aimed to translate the ELS into Thai and evaluate its psychometric properties among Thai nurses.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. The 14-item scale, which includes surface acting, deep acting, and expression of naturally felt emotions dimensions, was translated using forward and backward translation methods. The researchers recruited 1,005 nurses from Thai government tertiary hospitals and conducted exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, validity assessments, and reliability testing to evaluate the translated scale.

Results: The Thai version of the ELS (T-ELS) comprised of 11 items across three subscales. The scale demonstrated strong reliability and validity, with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranging from 0.93 to 0.96. Construct validity was supported by confirmatory factory analysis, yielding the following fit indices: comparative fit index = 0.99, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.98, root mean square error approximation = 0.04, and standardized root mean square residual = 0.02.

Conclusions: The findings confirms that the T-ELS was a reliable and effective instrument for assessing EL among Thai nurses. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers, hospital administrators, and nurse leaders to address and manage EL-related challenges among nurses.

Keywords: Emotional labor, Psychometric properties, Registered nurse, Thai version.

Recommended Citation

Posai V, Srisintorn W, Thongsuksai P, Jitpanya C. Psychometric Evaluation of The Thai Version of Emotional Labor Scale (T-ELS) in Thai Nurses. J Health Res. 2025; 39(3):-. DOI: https://doi.org/10.56808/2586-940X.1147

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