ABSTRACT

This study examines the impact of stereotype threat (ST), the fear of confirming negative assumptions about a group to which one belongs (Steele, C. M. [1997]. A threat in the air: How stereotypes shape intellectual identity and performance. American Psychologist, 52(6), 613–629), on the safety performance of pregnant workers. To avoid being stereotyped, pregnant employees may engage in concealing or supra-performance as coping strategies, which is predicted to jeopardise their safety. The strength and direction of the proposed causal relationships was tested using a rigorous longitudinal design with survey data from pregnant employees working in physically demanding jobs at three separate time points over two months (N₁ = 402; N₂ = 229; N₃ = 191). Latent growth curve modelling analysis indicated that ST is associated with greater use of concealment and supra-performance as coping strategies, as well as more experienced workplace accidents. Moreover, supra-performance appears to partially account for the relationship between ST and accidents. Scientifically, this study uniquely contributes to the literature by bridging two areas of research (stereotype threat and occupational safety) that have largely proceeded independently of each other. Given that pregnant workers represent a vulnerable and increasing sector of the workforce, it is critical to establish an empirical basis that can inform targeted and strategic interventions for improving the safety and health of pregnant employees.

抽象的

这项研究调查了刻板印象威胁（ST）的影响，担心确认关于一个人所属群体的负面假设（Steele，CM [1997]。空中威胁：刻板印象如何塑造知识分子的身份和表现。美国心理学家，52（6），613–629），有关怀孕工人的安全绩效。为避免刻板印象，怀孕的员工可能会隐瞒或表现出色，作为应对策略，这预计会危害他们的安全。建议的因果关系的强度和方向使用严格的纵向设计进行了测试，调查数据来自两个月内在三个不同时间点从事体力劳动的怀孕雇员的工作（N ₁  = 402；N₂  = 229；N ₃  = 191）。潜在生长曲线建模分析表明，ST与更大程度地利用隐藏和超能力作为应对策略以及更多有经验的工作场所事故相关。此外，超性能似乎部分解释了ST与事故之间的关系。从科学上讲，这项研究通过将两个彼此独立进行的研究领域（刻板印象威胁和职业安全）衔接起来，对文献做出了独特的贡献。鉴于孕妇工人是劳动力中脆弱且不断增长的部门，因此建立经验基础以提供有针对性的战略干预措施以改善孕妇员工的安全与健康至关重要。