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Antecedents of Workplace Psychological Safety in Public Safety and Frontline Healthcare: A Scoping Review

Author

Listed:
  • Emily Ip

    (Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC V2E 0C8, Canada)

  • Rani Srivastava

    (Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC V2E 0C8, Canada)

  • Liana Lentz

    (Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC V2E 0C8, Canada)

  • Sandra Jasinoski

    (Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC V2E 0C8, Canada)

  • Gregory S. Anderson

    (Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC V2E 0C8, Canada)

Abstract

Workplace psychological safety (PS) has been recognized as crucial in mitigating organizational stressors and enhancing positive workplace outcomes, particularly in high-risk occupations such as healthcare and public safety. This scoping review aims to synthesize the existing literature on psychological safety in high-risk workplaces to identify key antecedents, workplace enhancements, and research gaps. A systematic search of studies published between 2010 and January 2025 was conducted across multiple databases, including CINAHL, Medline, ERIC, JSTOR, PsycInfo, Business Source Ultimate, and Sociological Abstract. Inclusion criteria focused on adult workers in high-risk workplace environments. Following screening and eligibility assessments, 16 studies from six countries were selected for analysis. Data were extracted and thematically analyzed based on leadership styles, organizational structures, and workplace culture related to psychological safety. The review identified three primary antecedents of psychological safety in high-risk workplaces: (1) inclusive and transformational leadership styles, (2) hierarchical structures and power dynamics, and (3) workplace climate and communication culture. Studies consistently found that inclusive leadership, ethical integrity, and transformational leadership were strongly associated with higher psychological safety levels. While hierarchical structures provided the necessary organization, overly rigid hierarchies often suppressed employee voice and innovation. A workplace culture characterized by trust, transparency, and open communication fosters greater psychological safety and improved teamwork and well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Emily Ip & Rani Srivastava & Liana Lentz & Sandra Jasinoski & Gregory S. Anderson, 2025. "Antecedents of Workplace Psychological Safety in Public Safety and Frontline Healthcare: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(6), pages 1-30, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:6:p:820-:d:1662352
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tony Simons, 2002. "Behavioral Integrity: The Perceived Alignment Between Managers' Words and Deeds as a Research Focus," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 13(1), pages 18-35, February.
    2. John J. Sumanth & Sean T. Hannah & Kenneth C. Herbst & Ronald L. Thompson, 2024. "Generating the Moral Agency to Report Peers’ Counterproductive Work Behavior in Normal and Extreme Contexts: The Generative Roles of Ethical Leadership, Moral Potency, and Psychological Safety," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 195(3), pages 653-680, December.
    3. Matthew J Page & Joanne E McKenzie & Patrick M Bossuyt & Isabelle Boutron & Tammy C Hoffmann & Cynthia D Mulrow & Larissa Shamseer & Jennifer M Tetzlaff & Elie A Akl & Sue E Brennan & Roger Chou & Jul, 2021. "The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(3), pages 1-15, March.
    4. Gregory S. Anderson & Paula M. Di Nota & Dianne Groll & R. Nicholas Carleton, 2020. "Peer Support and Crisis-Focused Psychological Interventions Designed to Mitigate Post-Traumatic Stress Injuries among Public Safety and Frontline Healthcare Personnel: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-16, October.
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