The influence of safety leadership on nurses? safety behavior: The mediating role of safety knowledge and motivation

Introduction: This paper investigates the relationships among safety leadership, safety motivation, safety knowledge, and safety behavior in the setting of a tertiary hospital in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Method: Underpinned by the self-efficacy theory, we argue that high-quality safety leadership enhances nurses' safety knowledge and motivation and subsequently, improves their safety behavior (safety compliance and safety participation). A total of 332 questionnaire responses were gathered and analyzed using SmartPLS Version 3.2.9, revealing the direct effect of safety leadership on both safety knowledge and safety motivation. Results: Safety knowledge and safety motivation were found to directly and signifi-cantly predict nurses' safety behavior. Notably, safety knowledge and safety motivation were established as important mediators in the relationship between safety leadership and nurses' safety compliance and participation. Practical Applications: The findings of this study offer key guidance for safety researchers and hospital practitioners in identifying mechanisms to enhance safety behavior among nurses. (c) 2022 National Safety Council and Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study examines the relationships among safety leadership, safety motivation, safety knowledge, and safety behavior in a tertiary hospital in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Based on the self-efficacy theory, it is argued that high-quality safety leadership can enhance nurses' safety knowledge and motivation, which in turn improves their safety behavior. The findings reveal that safety knowledge and safety motivation significantly predict nurses' safety behavior, and they serve as important mediators in the relationship between safety leadership and nurses' safety compliance and participation.