Development and effectiveness of an educational program to foster psychological safety: A randomized controlled trial focusing on care workers in geriatric care facilities

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a program for improving interpersonal relationships to foster psychological safety among geriatric care workers. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 192 care workers in seven geriatric care facilities. Participants were divided into intervention or control groups; intervention groups attended a 60-minute program twice. Participants completed questionnaires addressing psychological safety, work environment, and intention to leave three times in six months. A linear multiple regression analysis was performed for each score at Time 1 or Time 2 as the dependent variable, with the score at baseline as the covariate. The psychological safety score increased (p < .05), and the “exclusive workplace climate” score decreased (p < .10) between the baseline and second survey. However, the significance became nonexistent between the second and third surveys. Although the program effectively fostered psychological safety, further ingenuity should be provided for continued effectiveness.