How Psychological Capital Affects Construction Workers' Safety Behavior: The Mediating Role of Safety Motivation

Workers' safety behavior is viewed as a critical determinant of workplace safety in construction industry. Social cognitive theory points that individual's behavior is affected by the role of psychological perception which to some extent, depends on the individual characteristics. The current study investigated the effect of psychological capital (PsyCap) on construction workers' safety behavior through the mediation of safety motivation using survey data collected from 352 respondents who worked in construction industry in China. The empirical results revealed that workers' PsyCap had a direct and positive influence on safety compliance and safety participation, and the effects of PsyCap on safety compliance and safety participation were both partially mediated by workers' safety motivation. Regarding to sub-dimensions of PsyCap, we found that (1) four sub-dimensions of PsyCap all had positive effects on safety compliance and safety participation, and (2) these four relationships were all partially mediated by workers' safety motivation. The findings urge construction site managers to consider workers' PsyCap and its role in motivating workers to perform safely, so as to improve workplace safety.