Factor structure of the protestant work ethic scale

Abstract

Max Weber envisioned the Protestant Work Ethic (PWE) as a multidimensional construct. However, research utilizing the PWE scale of Mirels and Garrett (1971; Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 36, 40–44; PWE scale), the most widely used measure of the PWE, has simply employed a total score as a general measure of PWE endorsement. This practice is problematic, as converging evidence suggests the PWE scale measures multiple aspects of work-ethic beliefs. Factor analytic results are presented which indicate that the PWE scale is indeed a multidimensional measure of work-ethic beliefs. Thus, simply focusing on a total score derived from the PWE scale obscures relationships between specific aspects of the PWE and other constructs of interest. The importance of differentiating the PWE construct is illustrated by examining its relationship with religious involvement. The present findings highlight the ambiguity of previous PWE research, and the need for further PWE scale development.