COPSOQ validation in Germany
COPSOQ is the most broadly validated GB-Psych instrument in Europe.
COPSOQ III has been validated in over 30 countries and is one of the strongest scientifically grounded survey instruments for mental load. Cronbach-α for core sub-scales sits between 0.75 and 0.90. More than 1,000 German companies use COPSOQ as the basis of their GB Psych. Compared to KFZA (stressor-focused) and SALSA (resource-focused), COPSOQ covers both sides.
Countries with validated COPSOQ versions
Countries with COPSOQ validation
Cronbach-α core sub-scales
German companies using COPSOQ
Items in COPSOQ III long form
What COPSOQ delivers
The Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) is an internationally standardised survey instrument for psychosocial workload. Developed by the Danish National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NFA), the current edition is version III. The German edition is maintained by FFAW Freiburg and listed in the BAuA Toolbox as a scientifically recognised method.
Comparison with other instruments
- KFZA (Short Questionnaire on Work Analysis): shorter, stressor-focused, less comprehensive
- SALSA (Salutogenic Subjective Work Analysis): more resource-oriented
- BGW miab (employee-oriented audit): industry-specific to care
- COPSOQ III: balanced — covers strain AND resources, with international benchmarks
Sources
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BAuA Toolbox — Instrumente zur Erfassung psychischer Belastungen
BAuA, 2024
Quelle öffnen Abgerufen: 2026-05-07
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Further reading
Related datasets
GB Psych compliance rate
47,4 % · Businesses without GB Psych (GDA 2013–2018)
Sick days mental illness
+55 % · Increase in mental-illness sick days 2014–2024
Tools & guides
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