Motivational profiles and safety-related traits

Abstract

This article is concerned with the relationship between the job motivational and preference profile of individuals and their engagement in safety behaviours. Studies have investigated personality traits but not motive and value correlates of risk-related behaviour. More than 25,000 Americans completed a questionnaire on safety-related competencies in the workplace that measured six different, but related, safety-related traits. They also completed a motivational measure of preferences and values used extensively in personnel assessment and selection. The six safety dimensions yielded two factors labelled observant and resilient that, along with the total score, were the criterion variables. Step-wise regressions indicated that those with high needs for affiliation, hedonism and recognition tended to be less safety conscious. The two different factors also showed a different pattern of demographic and motivational correlates. Problems of method invariance are discussed, as well the role of job motivation individual differences in safety-related traits and competencies.