Measuring SOC at the individual, group and leadership level

Background: As the workforce is ageing, strategies to maintain workability throughout the prolonged work life are becoming increasingly salient. The use of selection, optimisation, and compensation (SOC) strategies may contribute to a more sustainable work life, but research in the field has only explored the use of SOC strategies at the individual level.
Aim: The purpose of the present study was therefore to develop and validate a questionnaire to measure the use of SOC strategies at the work group and the immediate manager level, as well as the individual level.
Methods: Inspired from existing SOC questionnaires and input from qualitative interviews, conducted at an earlier stage of this project, we developed a first draft of the questionnaire. To refine and validate the items in this draft, we conducted eight cognitive interviews with persons from the target group. Finally, we conducted a questionnaire survey to further validate and adjust the questionnaire.
Results: The final questionnaire will be presented and its potential for future research and practice discussed.