{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,30]],"date-time":"2026-07-30T17:45:02Z","timestamp":1785433502809,"version":"3.56.0"},"reference-count":40,"publisher":"AOSIS","issue":"7","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,5,20]],"date-time":"2025-05-20T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1747699200000},"content-version":"unspecified","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"abstract":"<jats:p>The self-undermining scale is used to assess employee behaviours that undermine job performance, including making mistakes, creating conflict, creating confusion and creating a backlog in work tasks. To date, its psychometric properties have not been thoroughly investigated using item-response theory applications, especially in South Africa. Applying the Rasch Rating Scale Model, this study aimed to investigate the reliability and internal validity of the self-undermining scale, including item fit and rating scale functionality. Data were collected from 318 South African employees using a non-experimental, cross-sectional survey design. The instrument demonstrated unidimensional scaling with Cronbach\u2019s alpha and person separation values of 0.77 and 1.57, respectively. Item and category fit statistics showed satisfactory fit to the Rasch model, with only one item warranting further attention. Some refinements regarding item wording and rating scale optimisation are provided.\n\nContribution: This study is the first to investigate the reliability and validity of the self-undermining scale through the Rasch Measurement Model. It also offers cautionary insights into the applicability of the scale to measure self-undermining among South African employees because of the lack of discriminatory power. Recommendations for further validation studies are provided.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.4102\/ajopa.v7i0.163","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,5,20]],"date-time":"2025-05-20T07:44:48Z","timestamp":1747727088000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Psychometric evaluation of the self-undermining scale in South Africa using the Rasch model Psychometric evaluation of the self-undermining scale in South Africa using the Rasch model"],"prefix":"10.4102","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1713-8626","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Sergio","family":"Peral","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/03rp50x72","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}],"name":"University of the Witwatersrand"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"2580","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,5,20]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref0","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Andrich, D. (1978). A rating formulation for ordered response categories. Psychometrika, 43, 561\u2013573. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/BF02293814","DOI":"10.1007\/BF02293814"},{"key":"ref1","unstructured":"Adams, R.J., & Khoo, S.T. (1996). Quest: Interactive item analysis. ACER."},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bakker, A.B. (2015). A job demands\u2013resources approach to public service motivation. Public Administration Review, 75(5), 723\u2013732. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/puar.12388","DOI":"10.1111\/puar.12388"},{"key":"ref3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bakker, A.B., & Costa, P.L. (2014). Chronic job burnout and daily functioning: A theoretical analysis. Burnout Research, 1, 112\u2013119. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.burn.2014.04.003","DOI":"10.1016\/j.burn.2014.04.003"},{"key":"ref4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bakker, A.B., & Demerouti, E. (2017). Job demands-resources theory: Taking stock and looking forward. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 22(3), 273\u2013285. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1037\/ocp0000056","DOI":"10.1037\/ocp0000056"},{"key":"ref5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bakker, A.B., & De Vries, J.D. (2021). Job demands\u2013resources theory and self-regulation: New explanations and remedies for job burnout. Anxiety, Stress, & Coping, 34(1), 1\u201321. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/10615806.2020.1797695","DOI":"10.1080\/10615806.2020.1797695"},{"key":"ref6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bakker, A.B., & Wang, Y. (2020). Self-undermining behavior at work: Evidence of construct and predictive validity. International Journal of Stress Management, 27(3), 241\u2013251. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1037\/str0000150","DOI":"10.1037\/str0000150"},{"key":"ref7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bakker, A.B., Xanthopoulou, D., & Demerouti, E. (2023). How does chronic burnout affect dealing with weekly job demands? A test of central propositions in JD-R and COR-theories. Applied Psychology, 72(1), 389\u2013410. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/apps.12382","DOI":"10.1111\/apps.12382"},{"key":"ref8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bakker, A.B., Demerouti, E., & Sanz-Vergel, A. (2022). Job demands\u2013resources theory: Ten years later. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 10, 25\u201353. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1146\/annurev-orgpsych-120920-053933","DOI":"10.1146\/annurev-orgpsych-120920-053933"},{"key":"ref9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Berry, C.M., Carpenter, N.C., & Barratt, C.L. (2012). Do other-reports of counterproductive work behavior provide an incremental contribution over self-reports? A meta-analytic comparison. Journal of Applied Psychology, 97(3), 613\u2013636. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1037\/a0026739","DOI":"10.1037\/a0026739"},{"key":"ref10","unstructured":"Bond, T.G., & Fox, C.M. (2007). Applying the Rasch model: Fundamental measurement in the human sciences (2nd ed.). Routledge."},{"key":"ref11","unstructured":"Bond, T.G., & Fox, C.M. (2015). Applying the Rasch model: Fundamental measurement in the human sciences (3rd ed.). Routledge."},{"key":"ref12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Boone, W.J., Staver, J.R., & Yale, M.S. (2014). Rasch analysis in the human sciences. Springer.","DOI":"10.1007\/978-94-007-6857-4"},{"key":"ref13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Demerouti, E., Bakker, A.B., Nachreiner, F., & Schaufeli, W.B. (2001). The job demands\u2013resources model of burnout. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86, 499\u2013512. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1037\/0021-9010.86.3.499","DOI":"10.1037\/\/0021-9010.86.3.499"},{"key":"ref14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fox, C.M., & Jones, J.A. (1998). Uses of Rasch modeling in counseling psychology research. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 45(1), 30\u201345. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1037\/0022-0167.45.1.30","DOI":"10.1037\/\/0022-0167.45.1.30"},{"key":"ref15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fox, S., Spector, P.E., Goh, A., & Bruursema, K. (2007). Does your coworker know what you\u2019re doing? Convergence of self- and peer-reports of counterproductive work behavior. International Journal of Stress Management, 14, 41\u201360. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1037\/1072-5245.14.1.41","DOI":"10.1037\/1072-5245.14.1.41"},{"key":"ref16","unstructured":"Foxcroft, C., & Roodt, G. (2009). Introduction to psychological assessment in the South African context (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press."},{"key":"ref17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hambleton, R.K., & Jones, R.W. (1993). Comparison of classical test theory and item response theory and their applications to test development. Educational Measurement: Issues and Practice, 12(3), 38\u201347. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/j.1745-3992.1993.tb00543.x","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1745-3992.1993.tb00543.x"},{"key":"ref18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hagquist, C., Bruce, M., & Gustavsson, J.P. (2009). Using the Rasch model in nursing research: An introduction and illustrative example. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 46(3), 380\u2013393. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ijnurstu.2008.10.007","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijnurstu.2008.10.007"},{"key":"ref19","unstructured":"Heneman, H.G., Heneman, R.L., & Judge, T.A. (1997). Staffing organizations. Mendota House\/Irwin."},{"key":"ref20","unstructured":"Kanjee, A., & Foxcroft, C. (2009). Cross-cultural test adaptation, translation, and test in multiple languages. In C. Foxcroft & G. Roodt (Eds.), Introduction to psychological assessment in the South African context (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press."},{"key":"ref21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Leary, M.R., & Kowalski, R.M. (1990). Impression management: A literature review and two-component model. Psychological Bulletin, 107(1), 34\u201347. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1037\/0033-2909.107.1.34","DOI":"10.1037\/\/0033-2909.107.1.34"},{"key":"ref22","unstructured":"Linacre, J.M. (1994). Sample size and item calibration stability. Rasch Measurement Transactions, 7(4), 328."},{"key":"ref23","unstructured":"Linacre, J.M. (2002). What do infit and outfit, mean-square and standardized mean? Rasch Measurement Transactions, 16(2), 878."},{"key":"ref24","unstructured":"Linacre, J.M. (2016). Winsteps\u00ae Rasch measurement computer program user\u2019s guide. Retrieved from Winsteps.com."},{"key":"ref25","unstructured":"Linacre, J.M. (2019). Winsteps\u00ae (Version 4.7.0.0) [Computer Software]. Retrieved from https:\/\/www.winsteps.com\/"},{"key":"ref26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Masters, G.N. (1982). A Rasch model for partial credit scoring. Psychometrika, 47(2), 149\u2013174. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/BF02296272","DOI":"10.1007\/BF02296272"},{"key":"ref27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Netemeyer, R.G., Bearden, W.O., & Sharma, S. (2003). Scaling procedures: Issues and applications. Sage.","DOI":"10.4135\/9781412985772"},{"key":"ref28","unstructured":"Peral, S.L. (2019). Antecedents to job crafting and self-undermining behaviour: Implications for person\u2013job fit and job performance. Unpublished doctoral thesis, University of Johannesburg."},{"key":"ref29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Progar, \u0160., So\u010dan, G., & Pe\u010d, M. (2008). An empirical comparison of item response theory and classical test theory. Horizons of Psychology, 17(3), 5\u201324. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.20419\/2008.17.253","DOI":"10.20419\/2008.17.253"},{"key":"ref30","unstructured":"Rasch, G. (1960). Studies in mathematical psychology: I. Probabilistic models for some intelligence and attainment tests. Nielsen & Lydiche."},{"key":"ref31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Roczniewska, M., & Bakker, A.B. (2021). Burnout and self-regulation failure: A diary study of self-undermining and job crafting among nurses. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 77(8), 3424\u20133435. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/jan.14872","DOI":"10.1111\/jan.14872"},{"key":"ref32","unstructured":"Smith, R.M., Schumacker, R.E., & Bush, M.J. (2008). Rasch models and sample size considerations. In E.V. Smith & R.M. Smith (Eds.), Introduction to Rasch measurement (pp. 347\u2013357). JAM Press."},{"key":"ref33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Stewart, S.M., Bing, M.N., Davison, H.K., Woehr, D.J., & McIntyre, M.D. (2009). In the eyes of the beholder: A non-self-report measure of workplace deviance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 94, 207\u2013215. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1037\/a0012605","DOI":"10.1037\/a0012605"},{"key":"ref34","unstructured":"Tedeschi, J.T., & Riess, M. (1981). Impression management theory and social psychological research. Academic Press, Inc."},{"key":"ref35","unstructured":"Theron, L. (2022). Crafting and self-undermining in the job demands-resources model for academic staff at a South African higher education institution. Unpublished master\u2019s thesis, Stellenbosch University."},{"key":"ref36","unstructured":"Wilson, M. (2005). Constructing measures: An item response theory approach. Lawrence Erlbaum."},{"key":"ref37","unstructured":"Wright, B.D., & Linacre, J.M. (1994). Reasonable mean-square fit values. Rasch Measurement Transactions, 8(3), 370."},{"key":"ref38","unstructured":"Wright, B.D., & Masters, G.N. (1982). Rating scale analysis. MESA Press."},{"key":"ref39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Wright, B.D. (1984). Despair and hope for educational measurement. Contemporary Education Review, 3(1), 281\u2013288. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0013164404268673","DOI":"10.1177\/0013164404268673"}],"container-title":["African Journal of Psychological Assessment"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/ajopa.org\/index.php\/ajopa\/article\/viewFile\/163\/602","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/ajopa.org\/index.php\/ajopa\/article\/viewFile\/163\/603","content-type":"application\/epub+zip","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/ajopa.org\/index.php\/ajopa\/article\/viewFile\/163\/604","content-type":"text\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/ajopa.org\/index.php\/ajopa\/article\/viewFile\/163\/605","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/ajopa.org\/index.php\/ajopa\/article\/view\/163\/605","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,5,28]],"date-time":"2025-05-28T05:58:24Z","timestamp":1748411904000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/ajopa.org\/index.php\/ajopa\/article\/view\/163"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,5,20]]},"references-count":40,"journal-issue":{"issue":"7","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,1]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/ajopa.v7i0.163","relation":{},"ISSN":["2707-1618","2617-2798"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2707-1618","type":"print"},{"value":"2617-2798","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,5,20]]},"article-number":"a163"}}