Examining the relationship between employees' psychological security perceptions and their prosocial and proactive security behaviors

The purpose of this study is to adapt the Prosocial and Proactive Safety Behaviors Scale to Turkish culture and to examine the relationships between employees' perceptions of psychological safety and their prosocial and proactive safety behaviors. The study was conducted using a quantitative research design that combines scale adaptation and a correlational survey model. The research consists of a two-stage process. In the scale adaptation phase, the original scale was adapted into Turkish using forward translation, synthesis, and back-translation techniques; content validity was ensured by consulting with field experts. The psychometric properties of the scale were tested through a pilot application (n=30). In the correlational survey phase, the adapted scale was applied to 551 employees selected from different sectors, and the relationships between psychological safety perception and prosocial and proactive safety behaviors were analyzed. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Spearman correlation analysis were used in the analysis of the data. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were performed during the scale adaptation process. In the scale adaptation phase, 418 participants (43.06% female, 55.94% male) were included, while in the correlational survey phase, 551 call center employees were included in the study. Findings related to prosocial and proactive safety indicate that the scale's three-factor structure (Safety Reporting, Safety Voice, Safety Initiative) explains 69.1% of the total variance. Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranged from 0.808 to 0.865, indicating that the scale has high reliability. The highest average was found in the Security Reporting dimension, while the lowest average was found in the Security Initiative dimension in terms of psychological security level. No significant differences in security behaviors were observed based on demographic variables. Correlation analyses revealed moderate to high levels of significant positive relationships between psychological security perception and prosocial and proactive security behaviors. In conclusion, the Turkish version of the Prosocial and Proactive Security Behaviors Scale was found to be a valid and reliable measurement tool. Additionally, it was concluded that increasing psychological safety perception strengthens employees' prosocial and proactive safety behaviors. The research findings emphasize the critical importance of training programs, open communication environments, and management support in developing a safety culture.