Situation Awareness Sub-Dimensions and Task Domains Modulate the Correlation of Situation Awareness and Performance: A Three-Level Meta-Analysis

Situation awareness (SA) and human performance are central to human factors research, yet studies have shown inconsistent results of their correlation. Previous reviews often overlooked the multifaceted nature of these concepts and potential moderating factors. This study aimed to identify moderators affecting the SA-performance relationship. A systematic review of 58 studies (60 independent samples, 283 effect sizes) showed a moderate correlation between SA and performance (r = 0.327). Moderator analysis revealed that SA sub-dimensions and task domains significantly moderated this correlation. The SA-performance correlation progressively increases from perception to comprehension and projection. The correlation between SA and driving performance is higher than those observed in complex tasks like aviation or nuclear power plant. These findings underscore the importance of enhancing drivers’ SA for safety and implementing targeted training to strengthen cognitive and operational skills in complex human-machine systems.