Perception of Safety Hazards across the Adult Life-Span

Abstract

We conducted a survey to study the risk perception and assessment of safety hazards as a function of age. The survey asked subjects (N=200) to answer a 25 item survey about their feelings, experience and knowledge concerning specific (falls, burns, and medication) and general safety hazards. Results of an ANOVA, contrast and principle component analysis each supported the conclusion that the perception and evaluation of risk plays an increasingly important role in safety behavior and hazard avoidance as people age. These results are consistent with previous work on cautiousness as a personality trait in older people, and indicate this cautiousness begins in the middle years of life. The principle components analysis indicated a core of 12 items from the original 25 that have a distinct age-risk-safety structure. This may have potential as a profile useful in research and clinical contexts for predicting and intervening with persons at high risk for accidents.