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Sustainability
Volume 17
Issue 23
10.3390/su172310615
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Enhancing Sustainable Construction Safety: A Self-Determination Theory Approach to Worker Safety Behavior

by
Su Yang
1,2,
Yuru Yang
1,
Wenbao Yao
1,
Ting Wang
1,
Long Zhu
3,*,
Hongyang Li
4 and
Chunming Yang
1,*
1
School of Economics and Management, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei 230022, China
2
Migrant Workers Research Center in Anhui, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang 236000, China
3
School of Economics, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang 236000, China
4
Business School, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Sustainability 2025, 17(23), 10615; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310615
Submission received: 19 October 2025 / Revised: 21 November 2025 / Accepted: 24 November 2025 / Published: 26 November 2025
Versions Notes

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: construction worker; safety behavior; self-determination theory; sustainable construction construction worker; safety behavior; self-determination theory; sustainable construction

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MDPI and ACS Style

Yang, S.; Yang, Y.; Yao, W.; Wang, T.; Zhu, L.; Li, H.; Yang, C. Enhancing Sustainable Construction Safety: A Self-Determination Theory Approach to Worker Safety Behavior. Sustainability 2025, 17, 10615. https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310615

AMA Style

Yang S, Yang Y, Yao W, Wang T, Zhu L, Li H, Yang C. Enhancing Sustainable Construction Safety: A Self-Determination Theory Approach to Worker Safety Behavior. Sustainability. 2025; 17(23):10615. https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310615

Chicago/Turabian Style

Yang, Su, Yuru Yang, Wenbao Yao, Ting Wang, Long Zhu, Hongyang Li, and Chunming Yang. 2025. "Enhancing Sustainable Construction Safety: A Self-Determination Theory Approach to Worker Safety Behavior" Sustainability 17, no. 23: 10615. https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310615

APA Style

Yang, S., Yang, Y., Yao, W., Wang, T., Zhu, L., Li, H., & Yang, C. (2025). Enhancing Sustainable Construction Safety: A Self-Determination Theory Approach to Worker Safety Behavior. Sustainability, 17(23), 10615. https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310615

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