Role Overload (Reilly)
HR & WorkReliability: alpha 0.863 sample items
About this scale
A 5-item measure of perceived role overload — the feeling that one has too many responsibilities and too little time to fulfil them. Sits alongside role conflict and ambiguity in the role-stressor triad.
Sample item(s)
“I have to do things that I do not really have the time and energy for.”
“There are too many demands on my time.”
“I cannot ever seem to catch up at work.”
Reliability
Reported internal consistency: alpha 0.86. As a rule of thumb, Cronbach’s α ≥ .70 is considered acceptable, ≥ .80 good, and ≥ .90 excellent for established measures.
Notes
Adapted versions are common; original was developed for working women but is now used in any worker sample.
Source & citation
Reilly, M. D. (1982): Working wives and convenience consumption. Journal of Consumer Research, Vol. 8, No. 4, pp. 407–418.
Reilly (1982): Working wives and convenience consumption (role overload scale). JCR, 8(4), 407–418.
Source. Scale details are summarised from the publication cited above. Always consult the original source for the full item set, scoring, and permission to use.
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