IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v19y2022i17p10951-d904818.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Double-Edged Sword of Safety Training for Safety Behavior: The Critical Role of Psychological Factors during COVID-19

Author

Listed:
  • Xin Ning

    (School of Investment and Construction Management, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, Dalian 116025, China)

  • Jiwen Huang

    (School of Investment and Construction Management, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, Dalian 116025, China)

  • Chunlin Wu

    (School of Economics and Management, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
    Beijing Key Laboratory of Emergency Support Simulation Technologies for City Operations, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China)

  • Tong Liu

    (School of Investment and Construction Management, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, Dalian 116025, China)

  • Chao Wang

    (Bert S. Turner Department of Construction Management, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA)

Abstract

Safety training (ST) is the primary means of avoiding unsafe behaviors, but it has not achieved the expected impact on improving workplace safety because of the high psychological stress it brings to workers. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) further threatens workers’ psychological conditions, thereby diminishing the effectiveness of ST. However, the existing literature has mainly laid emphasis on the bright side of ST and neglected examining its impact on safety behavior (SB) from detrimental psychological factors. Drawing from the conservation of resources theory, a novel two-staged model was established to understand how these psychological factors mediate and moderate the association between ST and SB. We incorporated resource consumption (e.g., role overload (RO) and COVID-19-related task setbacks) and resource generation (e.g., psychological resilience) into the model to consider both detrimental and protective psychological factors against ST. We then implemented a time-separated, three-wave data collection on a sample of frontline workers to validate this hypothetical model. Consistent with our hypothesis, RO played a significant mediating role between ST and SB, that is, ST leads to RO, and in turn, holds up SB. Surprisingly, contrary to our hypothesis, COVID-19-related task setbacks weakened the negative and indirect impact of ST on SB via RO. This is one of the first empirical studies to highlight how detrimental psychological factors caused by ST constrict or amplify SB. In practice, the efficacy of ST can be enhanced by cultivating psychological resilience and clarifying employees’ job responsibilities to reduce the ambiguity of roles.

Suggested Citation

  • Xin Ning & Jiwen Huang & Chunlin Wu & Tong Liu & Chao Wang, 2022. "The Double-Edged Sword of Safety Training for Safety Behavior: The Critical Role of Psychological Factors during COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:17:p:10951-:d:904818
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/17/10951/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/17/10951/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Guangdong Wu & Zhibin Hu & Junwei Zheng, 2019. "Role Stress, Job Burnout, and Job Performance in Construction Project Managers: The Moderating Role of Career Calling," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-20, July.
    2. Chunlin Wu & Han Yao & Xin Ning & Lei Wang, 2021. "Emergence of Informal Safety Leadership: A Social–Cognitive Process for Accident Prevention," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 30(11), pages 4288-4305, November.
    3. Abdulrahman M. Basahel, 2021. "Safety Leadership, Safety Attitudes, Safety Knowledge and Motivation toward Safety-Related Behaviors in Electrical Substation Construction Projects," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-17, April.
    4. Feng Guo & Junwu Wang & Denghui Liu & Yinghui Song, 2021. "Evolutionary Process of Promoting Construction Safety Education to Avoid Construction Safety Accidents in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-22, October.
    5. Kimura, Takuma & Bande, Belén & Fernández-Ferrín, Pilar, 2018. "Work overload and intimidation: The moderating role of resilience," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 36(6), pages 736-745.
    6. Cheng, Yawen & Chen, Chun-Wan & Chen, Chiou-Jong & Chiang, Tung-liang, 2005. "Job insecurity and its association with health among employees in the Taiwanese general population," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 61(1), pages 41-52, July.
    7. Gui Ye & Hongzhe Yue & Jingjing Yang & Hongyang Li & Qingting Xiang & Yuan Fu & Can Cui, 2020. "Understanding the Sociocognitive Process of Construction Workers’ Unsafe Behaviors: An Agent-Based Modeling Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-33, March.
    8. Liu, Yongmei & He, Hongwei & Zhu, Weichun, 2020. "Motivational analyses of the relationship between negative affectivity and workplace helping behaviors: A Conservation of Resources perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 362-374.
    9. Yinghui Song & Junwu Wang & Denghui Liu & Feng Guo, 2022. "Study of Occupational Safety Risks in Prefabricated Building Hoisting Construction Based on HFACS-PH and SEM," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-24, January.
    10. Xinping Wang & Cheng Zhang & Jun Deng & Chang Su & Zhenzhe Gao, 2022. "Analysis of Factors Influencing Miners’ Unsafe Behaviors in Intelligent Mines using a Novel Hybrid MCDM Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-30, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Oubrich, Mourad & Hakmaoui, Abdelati & Benhayoun, Lamiae & Solberg Söilen, Klaus & Abdulkader, Bisan, 2021. "Impacts of leadership style, organizational design and HRM practices on knowledge hiding: The indirect roles of organizational justice and competitive work environment," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 488-499.
    2. Merve Anaç & Gulden Gumusburun Ayalp & Kamil Erdayandi, 2023. "Prefabricated Construction Risks: A Holistic Exploration through Advanced Bibliometric Tool and Content Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-31, August.
    3. Eve Caroli & Mathilde Godard, 2016. "Does job insecurity deteriorate health?," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 25(2), pages 131-147, February.
    4. Xuelin Chen & Mohammad Masukujjaman & Abdullah Al Mamun & Jingzu Gao & Zafir Khan Mohamed Makhbul, 2023. "Modeling the significance of work culture on burnout, satisfaction, and psychological distress among the Gen-Z workforce in an emerging country," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-12, December.
    5. Junwu Wang & Yinghui Song & Wei Wang & Suikuan Wang & Feng Guo & Jiequn Lu, 2022. "Marine Construction Waste Recycling Mechanism Considering Public Participation and Carbon Trading: A Study on Dynamic Modeling and Simulation Based on Sustainability Policy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-22, August.
    6. repec:dau:papers:123456789/13646 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. Nicholas Rohde & KK Tang & Lars Osberg, 2017. "The self-reinforcing dynamics of economic insecurity and obesity," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(17), pages 1668-1678, April.
    8. Eve Caroli & Mathilde Godard, 2013. "Does Job Insecurity Deteriorate Health ? A Causal Approach for Europe," Working Papers 2013-13, Center for Research in Economics and Statistics.
    9. Qingfeng Meng & Wenyao Liu & Zhen Li & Xin Hu, 2021. "Influencing Factors, Mechanism and Prevention of Construction Workers’ Unsafe Behaviors: A Systematic Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-22, March.
    10. Italo A. Gutierrez & Pierre-Carl Michaud, 2017. "Whistle While You Work: Job Insecurity and Older Workers’ Mental Health in the United States," CIRANO Working Papers 2017s-21, CIRANO.
    11. Xinyong Zhang & Zhenzhen Sun & Zhaoxiang Niu & Yijing Sun & Dawei Wang, 2021. "The Effect of Abusive Supervision on Safety Behaviour: A Moderated Mediation Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-14, November.
    12. Yeh, Wan-Yu & Cheng, Yawen & Chen, Chiou-Jung, 2009. "Social patterns of pay systems and their associations with psychosocial job characteristics and burnout among paid employees in Taiwan," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(8), pages 1407-1415, April.
    13. Yulita, & Muhamad, Suriyani & Kulub Abdul Rashid, Noorhaslinda & Hussain, Nor Ermawati & Mohamad Akhir, Noor Haslina & Ahmat, Nizam, 2020. "Resilience as a moderator of government and family support in explaining entrepreneurial interest and readiness among single mothers," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 13(C).
    14. Chen, Duan-Rung & Chang, Ly-Yun & Yang, Meng-Li, 2008. "Gender-specific responses to social determinants associated with self-perceived health in Taiwan: A multilevel approach," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(10), pages 1630-1640, November.
    15. Pierre-Carl Michaud & Italo A. Gutierrez, 2015. "Employer downsizing and older workers’ health," CIRANO Working Papers 2015s-34, CIRANO.
    16. Antonio Rodríguez & Sunny Collings & Ping Qin, 2008. "Socio-economic differences in suicide risk vary by sex : A population-based case-control study of 18-65 year olds in Denmark," Development Research Working Paper Series 05/2008, Institute for Advanced Development Studies.
    17. Li, Hao & Wang, Zhao-Hua & Zhang, Bin, 2023. "How social interaction induce energy-saving behaviors in buildings: Interpersonal & passive interactions v.s. public & active interactions," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    18. Lücke, Christine, 2017. "How much does others’ protection matter? Employment protection and well-being," VfS Annual Conference 2017 (Vienna): Alternative Structures for Money and Banking 168096, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    19. Xiangfei Zeng & Ning Zhang & Lianghua Chen & Wenpei Zhang, 2023. "The Impact of Interactive Control in Budget Management on Innovation Performance of Enterprises: From the Perspective of Manager Role Stress," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-21, January.
    20. Roger Jensen & David P. Gilkey, 2023. "Risk-Reduction Research in Occupational Safety and Ergonomics: An Editorial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-4, March.
    21. Christine Luecke & Andreas Knabe, 2020. "How much does others’ protection matter? Employment protection, future labour market prospects and well-being," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 72(3), pages 893-914.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:17:p:10951-:d:904818. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.