Psychological safety: A systematic review of the literature

• Published in: Human resource management review Vol. 27; no. 3; pp. 521 - 535
• Main Authors: Newman, Alexander, Donohue, Ross, Eva, Nathan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Greenwich Elsevier Inc 01.09.2017; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Human resource management; Leadership; Learning; Measurement issues; Organizational change; Psychological aspects; Psychological safety; Safety; School environment; Studies; Systematic review; Work outcomes; Psychological safety; Learning; Work outcomes; Measurement issues
• ISSN: 1053-4822; 1873-7889
• DOI: 10.1016/j.hrmr.2017.01.001

Since the concept of psychological safety was introduced, empirical research on its antecedents, outcomes, and moderators at different levels of analysis has proliferated. Given a burgeoning body of empirical evidence, a systematic review of the psychological safety literature is warranted. As well as reviewing empirical work on psychological safety, the present article highlights gaps in the literature and provides direction for future work. In doing so, it highlights the need to advance our understanding of psychological safety through the integration of key theoretical perspectives to explain how psychological safety develops and influences work outcomes at different levels of analysis. Suggestions for future empirical research to advance our understanding of psychological safety are also provided. •Reviews the extant literature on psychological safety•Highlights gaps in the existing literature and issues with measurement of psychological safety•Concludes with directions for future research on psychological safety