Living up to safety values in health care: The effect of leader behavioral integrity on occupational safety

J.R. Halbesleben, H. Leroy, B. Dierynck, T. Simons, G.T. Savage, D. McCaughey, M.R. Leon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

41 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

While previous research has identified that leaders’ safety expectations and safety actions are important in fostering occupational safety, research has yet to demonstrate the importance of leader alignment between safety expectations and actions for improving occupational safety. We build on safety climate literature and theory on behavioral integrity to better understand the relationship between the leader’s behavioral integrity regarding safety and work-related injuries. In a time-lagged study of 658 nurses, we find that behavioral integrity for high safety values is positively associated with greater reporting of fewer and less severe occupational injuries. The effects of behavioral integrity regarding safety can be better understood through the mediating mechanisms of safety compliance and psychological safety toward one’s supervisor. We discuss the implications of our findings for future research on safety climate
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)395-405
JournalJournal of Occupational Health Psychology
Volume18
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2013

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