A causal model of the relationship among accidents, biodata, personality, and cognitive factors.

The purpose of this research was to construct and test a causal model of the accident process. Data were gathered on 362 chemical industry workers. The causal model was analyzed and cross-validated using LISREL VI. It was proposed that social maladjustment traits, some characteristics of neurosis, cognitive ability, employee age, and job experience would have independent causal effects on the accident criterion, even when the effects of accident risk and involvement in counseling were controlled. Two rationally derived, content-validated scales based on MMPI items were created to measure social maladjustment and the aspects of neurosis that result in a state of distractibility. The results showed the causal model as a whole to be viable in the initial and cross-validation analyses, and the social maladjustment and distractibility variables were found to be significant causal parameters of accidents. This study developed a new direction for future accident research by its use of causal modeling and by the creation of two new scales for the assessment of employee accident potential. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)