How nurses who are sensation seekers justify their unsafe behaviors

Martina Dwi Mustika, Chris J. Jackson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Sensation seeking, risk-taking propensity and openness to experience are known predictors of unsafe behaviors. The aim of this study is to determine if individuals with these characteristics justify their unsafe behaviors by attributing them to external factors such as a lack of organizational support. We explore the interaction between sensation seeking and risk-taking propensity, explain how nurses justify their unsafe work practices, and investigate the effect of openness on directing sensation seekers’ behavior. In this cross-sectional study, 108 nurses completed questionnaires and an objective task measuring risk-taking propensity. Conditional direct effect analysis showed that nurses with sensation-seeking characteristics and high level of risk-taking propensity were likely to perceive external factors as accounting for their unsafe behaviors. Furthermore, sensation seeking re-expressed as openness to experience predicted increased blame externalization. Additionally, nurses with high risk-taking propensity, leading to a focus on rewards and learning experiences, attributed unsafe work practices to external factors.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)79-84
Number of pages6
JournalPersonality and Individual Differences
Volume100
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2016

Keywords

  • Balloon Analogue Risk Task
  • Openness to experience
  • Risk-taking propensity
  • Safety-risk justification
  • Sensation seeking

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'How nurses who are sensation seekers justify their unsafe behaviors'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this