Enhancing Sustainable Construction Safety: A Self-Determination Theory Approach to Worker Safety Behavior
Open Access
- 26 November 2025
- journal article
- research article
- Published by MDPI AG in Sustainability
- Vol. 17 (23) , 10615
Abstract
The construction industry has long been recognized as one of the world’s most hazardous sectors, with safety issues remaining a persistent challenge. To enhance sustainable safety management in this field, this study employs Self-Determination Theory (SDT) to explore the psychological mechanisms underlying construction workers’ safety behaviors. Through structural equation modeling using SPSS 27 and AMOS 28 software on 334 questionnaires, the research reveals that safety awareness and work pressure not only directly influence safety behaviors but also mediate through psychological factors. Notably, social identity significantly moderates the cognitive–behavioral pathway, while autonomous and control motivations moderate the psychological–behavioral relationship. This study breaks through the limitations of traditional safety management that focuses solely on external factors, constructing a multi-level theoretical model that encompasses cognitive, stress, psychological, motivational, and social factors. The research provides a theoretical foundation and practical pathway for construction enterprises to implement people-oriented safety management, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals centered on the health and safety of employees.Keywords
Funding Information
- Fuyang Normal University 2022 Provincial Research Platform Open Subjects Anhui Migrant Workers Research Centre Key Funding Project (FSKFKT028D)
- Domestic and International Study Visit and Training Program for Outstanding Young Talents in Universities (gxfx2017055)
- Anhui Research Center of Construction Economy and Real Estate Management Fund (2023JZJJ01)
- Provincial Humanities and Social Science Research Project of Anhui Universities (2024AH052349)
- Anhui University Philosophy and Social Science Research Fund (2023AH040033)
- Anhui Province Outstanding Young Talents Support Program project General project (gxyq2022036)
- Reserved Scientific Research Project of Anhui Jianzhu University (2023XMK07)
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