The Predictive Effect of Protection Motivation Theory Structures on the Protective Behaviors of Painting Workers: An Analysis of Threat Appraisal and Coping Appraisal Processes

Maintaining workers’ safety in the workplace can be achieved by promoting protective behaviors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of protective behaviors in relation to the theoretical structures of the protection motivation theory.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 paint workers in Rafsanjan city. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to assess knowledge, attitude, protective behaviors, and theoretical structures. A structural equation model was employed to investigate the impact of motivational theory structures on protective intentions and behaviors.

The present study showed that, despite a relatively acceptable level of knowledge, the status of protective behavior in painting workers was not favorable. Correlation tests indicated that protective behaviors had a positive relationship with knowledge, self-efficacy, and response efficacy structures, while negatively and significantly related to the perceived cost structure. (p <0.05). Overall, the protection motivation theory structures had acceptable goodness of fit.

It is recommended that the structures of the protection motivation theory be utilized to persuade painting workers to comply with protective behaviors. Greater emphasis should be placed on creating a sense of threat caused by the lack of protective behavior in this group.