Risk and Safety Attitudes Among Conscripts During Compulsory Military Training

• Published in: Military psychology Vol. 23; no. 6; pp. 659 - 684
• Main Authors: Börjesson, M, Österberg, J, Enander, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington Taylor & Francis 01.11.2011; Taylor & Francis Group; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Attitudes; Leadership; Ledarskap under påfrestande förhållanden; Military draft; Military training; Risk; Safety; Sweden
• ISSN: 0899-5605; 1532-7876; 1532-7876
• DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2011.616815

The purpose was to examine relationships between individual characteristics, leadership, group cohesion, and risk and safety attitudes among Swedish conscripts (N = 389). The longitudinal questionnaire study revealed positive associations between safety-specific leadership and safety attitudes, while safety skepticism and leadership promoting risk taking were associated with stronger attitudes of necessary risk taking. Attitudes of unnecessary risk taking, on the other hand, were negatively related to safety-specific leadership and group cohesion, but positively associated with safety fatalism and leadership promoting risk taking. Decreases in safety attitudes were found between basic and unit training. The results highlight the importance of a balanced leadership.