Leiden University Student Repository

Vries, Samantha de (2022)

Perceived Support, Psychological Safety and Affective Organizational Commitment Among Healthcare Workers: A Pilot Study in a Dutch Hospital During COVID-19

Master thesis | Psychology (MSc)

A hospital in the Netherlands is currently investigating where they are standing in terms of a safe learning environment. This is investigated to eventually implement Safety-II within their work- and learn processes. The safety management approach of Safety-II emphasizes how safety is achieved in daily work. Since speaking up is an important factor for learning and improvement, this study aimed to examine the status of psychological safety among healthcare workers at the Dutch hospital. To address current problems surrounding staff shortage in healthcare, we additionally aimed to investigate how healthcare workers could be retained to their hospital work environment. This pilot study researched the relationship between perceived organizational support (POS), psychological safety, and affective organizational commitment (AOC). Drawing on previous theories, we hypothesized and examined a mediator model predicting AOC. A mixed-method design was used for an in-depth understanding of POS...Show moreA hospital in the Netherlands is currently investigating where they are standing in terms of a safe learning environment. This is investigated to eventually implement Safety-II within their work- and learn processes. The safety management approach of Safety-II emphasizes how safety is achieved in daily work. Since speaking up is an important factor for learning and improvement, this study aimed to examine the status of psychological safety among healthcare workers at the Dutch hospital. To address current problems surrounding staff shortage in healthcare, we additionally aimed to investigate how healthcare workers could be retained to their hospital work environment. This pilot study researched the relationship between perceived organizational support (POS), psychological safety, and affective organizational commitment (AOC). Drawing on previous theories, we hypothesized and examined a mediator model predicting AOC. A mixed-method design was used for an in-depth understanding of POS, AOC, and psychological safety among healthcare professionals (N = 38) of a Dutch hospital. The data was collected through a survey, online observations during team meetings, and three interviews. This study provides new support to the importance of POS for organizational commitment. Results showed that POS increased psychological safety among healthcare professionals. Adding to the literature, it was found that in particular support from team leaders was important for higher levels of psychological safety. Our findings also indicate that POS has a positive impact on AOC, but this was not mediated by psychological safety. More research is required to better understand how POS exactly contributes to AOC. Based on our findings, we recommend including perceived support from team leaders within further research on psychological safety.Show less

Affective organizational commitment

Patient safety

Organizational learning

Psychological safety

Perceived organizational support

Perceived team leader support

Author

Vries, Samantha de

Faculty

Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences

Specialisation

Applied Cognitive Psychology

Supervisors

Groeneweg, J.

ECTS Credits

20

Language

en