Key research themes
1. How can protection factors be accurately identified and measured to improve risk assessment and offender rehabilitation outcomes?
This research area focuses on the conceptual clarification, measurement, and integration of protective factors (strengths and positive attributes) into rehabilitative and risk assessment frameworks. It matters because understanding and reliably measuring protective factors enhances prediction accuracy of negative outcomes (e.g., offending) and informs treatment plans that leverage individual strengths rather than focusing solely on deficits.
2. What motivates the continuance of protective security behaviors in individuals beyond initial adoption?
This theme investigates psychological and contextual factors influencing why individuals maintain or discontinue security behaviors after their initial acceptance, which is critical for sustaining effective organizational information security and minimizing insider threats. Understanding continuance motivation informs design of interventions and policies for long-term adherence to protective behaviors.
3. How do protection motivation theory constructs predict and influence occupational protective behaviors among at-risk workers?
This research theme examines the applicability of protection motivation theory (PMT) structures—such as perceived threat, self-efficacy, and response efficacy—in predicting and enhancing compliance with safety behaviors in hazardous occupational settings. Insights from this area inform targeted behavior change strategies and occupational health interventions.