Dimensions of Operational Stress and Forms of Unacceptable Risk-Taking With Small Arms

Abstract

This research studied the association between dimensions of operational stress, forms of risk-taking with small arms, and possible mediators. Operational threat and negative affect were predictors, unauthorized preparedness and risky games were dependent variables, and safety climate and personality profile from the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire—Revised Short Form were mediators. The participants were 461 compulsory service soldiers in 31 companies. The results revealed that operational threat is related to unauthorized preparedness, and positive–negative affect is related to risky games. Safety climate mediated risky games only. Unauthorized preparedness and risky games were influenced by the interaction of Psychoticism and the Lie scale from the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire—Revised Short Form.

• operational stress
• risk-taking
• safety climate
• small arms