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. We ask that you please contact the lead author Liza Morton (Liza.Morton@gcu.ac.uk) for permission before using it. 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.
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Neuroception of Psychological Safety Scale (NPSS) |
NPSS Handbook & Scoring Guide |
Get in touchDr Liza Morton
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