A validation study on the translated Korea version of emotional labor scale (ELS) in hospitality organizations

Abstract

Background/Objectives: To validate the Korea version of the emotional labor scale, an instrument widely used to understand how professionals working with people face emotional labor in hospitality organizations. Methods/Statistical analysis: The objective of this research was to translate and to test the reliability and validity of the 3 types ELS in Korea. An observational, cross-sectional and multicenter survey was used. Health care providers (n=205) completed the selfreported ELS. Data was gathered at 3 hospitals during Oct. 2013 after obtaining an informed consent. Results: Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA)& Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were estimated in order to test the factors structure of the scale. The internal consistency coefficients from the three studies, ranging from.69 to.94, evidence the reliability of the 3 types ELS. Among them, ELS by Brotheridge and Lee4 revised 2011, the most appropriate in the results of EFA. The results of the CFA confirm a factor structure of the scale with two subscales. Conclusion/Application: Evidence was also provided for convergent and discriminant validity. The paper concludes with a discussion of potential applications of the scale.