[2026-01-26] Psychometric Testing of the Thai Version of the Short-Form Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index Among Nurses Within the Thai Social Context

Abstract

Background: A standardized assessment of the nursing practice environment is essential as a foundation for planning and implementing improvements that enhance the suitability and efficiency of nurses’ work settings. While comprehensive evaluations provide valuable insights, they can be resource-intensive, particularly in settings with limited capacity. The Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI) is a widely validated instrument for assessing nursing work environments, and its short-form version, the PES-5, was developed to reduce respondent burden. Adapting the PES-5 to the Thai context ensures cultural and organizational appropriateness, thereby enhancing its applicability and utility in Thai healthcare settings.

Objectives: To translate the PES-5 into Thai and assess its psychometric properties among Thai nurses.

Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed. The PES-5 was translated into Thai using a systematic forward and backward translation process to ensure conceptual and linguistic equivalence. Data were collected from 250 full-time registered nurses working in public hospitals under Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health via an online survey. Psychometric evaluation was conducted using Rasch model analysis, performed with Jamovi software (version 2.6.26). Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach a and item-total correlation. Rasch analysis was used to examine item fit, response category functioning, and person separation reliability.

Results: The Thai version (T-PES-5) demonstrated excellent content validity (S-CVI = 1.00). Rasch analysis showed acceptable Infit and Outfit statistics (0.81-1.24 and 0.79-1.31, respectively), indicating good item fit. Cronbach a was 0.73, reflecting satisfactory internal consistency. The Wright map revealed a well-balanced item difficulty distribution with no evidence of floor or ceiling effects.

Conclusions: The T-PES-5 is a psychometrically sound instrument for evaluating the nursing practice environment in Thailand. Its brevity and validity make it particularly suitable for large-scale assessments in public healthcare settings, supporting efforts to improve work environments and, ultimately, patient care quality.