Download the scale & handbook from the PVI by clicking here.
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With thanks to Dr Soboti for interviewing me & creating these videos. They are the exclusive property of Dr. Jacqueline Soboti, DSW, LCSW and may not be reproduced, copied, redistributed or altered without written permission of Jacqueline Soboti. To learn more about her work (and for further video interviews), please visit her websites www.JacquelineSobotiLCSW.com and www.polyvagaltheoryinpractice.com
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The importance of feeling psychologically safe for health & wellbeing is being increasingly recognised. Feeling psychologically safe is essential to protect us from stress while promoting post-traumatic growth following adversity. People often seek therapy because they are struggling to feel safe, blighted by anxiety, stress & low mood. They often wish to feel safe again or yearn to for the first time. Early adversity & repeated exposure to traumatic life events can bias us towards sensing threat. This can challenge feelings of safety, compromise our physical & psychological wellbeing & impact negatively on our relationships.
We have developed a new scale for measuring psychological safety named the Neuroception of Psychological Safety Scale (NPSS). The scale, consisting of 29 items, assesses how safe a person feels. It is further divided into three sub-scales of Social Engagement, Compassion & Bodily Sensations. The measure is informed by the Polyvagal Theory (PVT), 'The science of safety' which offers a comprehensive explanation of psychological safety grounded in an evidence base of neurophysiology, psychology & evolutionary theory.
This psychometrically valid measure, for use with adults, is the first of its kind, combining psychological, physiological & social components. Most traditional psychometric measures focus on pathology rather than prevention & positive adaptation. Whereas this scale has the potential to be used in a broad range of settings, such as tracking progress in psychological therapy or assessing whether a sense of psychological safety enhances learning or improves hospital outcomes. It can also be applied to psychological safety in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The study was led by Dr Liza Morton & carried out at The University of Strathclyde by an international team with expertise in trauma therapy, Polyvagal Theory & psychometric scale development. The team includes Dr Nicola Cogan, a Senior Lecturer in Strathclyde's School of Psychological Sciences & Health with partners from the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium at the renowned Kinsey Institute, Indiana University and The Polyvagal Institute including Prof Stephen Porges, founder of Polyvagal Theory & Dr Jacek Kolacz. Dr Damien Williams & MSc students Calum Calderwood & Marek Nikolac, from the University of Strathclyde, also contributed. Dr Thomas Bacon, Clinical Psychologist, NHS Fife & Dr Emily Pathe, Counselling Psychologist, NHS Lanarkshire contributed to item development.
We have developed a new scale for measuring psychological safety named the Neuroception of Psychological Safety Scale (NPSS). The scale, consisting of 29 items, assesses how safe a person feels. It is further divided into three sub-scales of Social Engagement, Compassion & Bodily Sensations. The measure is informed by the Polyvagal Theory (PVT), 'The science of safety' which offers a comprehensive explanation of psychological safety grounded in an evidence base of neurophysiology, psychology & evolutionary theory.
This psychometrically valid measure, for use with adults, is the first of its kind, combining psychological, physiological & social components. Most traditional psychometric measures focus on pathology rather than prevention & positive adaptation. Whereas this scale has the potential to be used in a broad range of settings, such as tracking progress in psychological therapy or assessing whether a sense of psychological safety enhances learning or improves hospital outcomes. It can also be applied to psychological safety in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The study was led by Dr Liza Morton & carried out at The University of Strathclyde by an international team with expertise in trauma therapy, Polyvagal Theory & psychometric scale development. The team includes Dr Nicola Cogan, a Senior Lecturer in Strathclyde's School of Psychological Sciences & Health with partners from the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium at the renowned Kinsey Institute, Indiana University and The Polyvagal Institute including Prof Stephen Porges, founder of Polyvagal Theory & Dr Jacek Kolacz. Dr Damien Williams & MSc students Calum Calderwood & Marek Nikolac, from the University of Strathclyde, also contributed. Dr Thomas Bacon, Clinical Psychologist, NHS Fife & Dr Emily Pathe, Counselling Psychologist, NHS Lanarkshire contributed to item development.
The measure is free to use for research & educational purposes. It should not be used for commercial gain. Please keep us updated with your feedback on the scale to assist us with its development & guidance for use. Follow the links before for more info, updates & a downloadable copy of the scale & handbook.
Get in touchDr Liza Morton
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