Quality changes in workplace health promotion over time: an extended validation of quality criteria from a longitudinal perspective

AIM: The quality of workplace health promotion (WHP) is essential for the successful deployment of financial and human resources. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the measurement quality of a WHP instrument with 15 quality criteria over time. In addition, it examines whether the quality of WHP in the enterprises concerned changed over time and whether typical developments can be identified. Finally, the role of company parameters such as size and implementation phase are analysed in relation to how WHP develops over time. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Evaluations of the quality of WHP collected between 2014 and 2021 were available at two and three measurement points for 570 and 279 enterprises, respectively. To assess the longitudinal measurement structure, confirmatory factor analyses were carried out followed by structural equation modelling to analyse causality. Cluster analysis was used to identify typical developments, and differences in company parameters were analysed with MANOVA. RESULTS: The results prove that the 15 quality criteria can be used to evaluate the quality of WHP in enterprises in a valid and reliable manner, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. The quality of WHP in the enterprises concerned remained relatively stable over approximately 12 years. The cluster solution revealed three different developments characterized by increasing, stable or decreasing quality. CONCLUSION: Measurements using a quality evaluation system permit a good assessment of WHP in enterprises. WHP quality also depends on company parameters; here more support should be provided to motivate enterprises in the long run, particularly in the sustainability phase.