The professional identity of safety professionals in China: theoretical model, empirical validation and comparative application

<i>Objectives</i>. This article aimed to explore the professional identity of safety professionals in China using a questionnaire survey. <i>Methods</i>. A six-element professional identity model with multi-dimensional characteristics was proposed, including cognition, attributes, motivation, emotion, values and behavioral tendencies. Subsequently, a questionnaire on the professional identity of safety professionals was developed and validated. Based on the survey results from 236 safety professionals across different industries, the study examined whether there were significant differences in the impact of hierarchical position, education level and years of experience on professional identity. <i>Results</i>. The results indicate that the professional identity of safety professionals is positively correlated with their education level and hierarchical position. <i>Conclusion</i>. The role and position of safety professionals within the organization influence their perceptions of professional identity. Safety professionals with 11-15 working years had the highest level of professional identity. Systematic education helps safety professionals gain a clearer understanding of their own occupation and form a stable professional psychological state. Safety professionals exhibited a passive tendency toward self-learning, colleague safety and active participation in safety work. Additionally, changes in hierarchical position within the organization and the realization of professional advancement are more conducive to developing a strong sense of professional belonging.