The Role of Psychological Safety in Higher Education and the Creation of a Psychological Safety Framework

Abstract

Failure has been thoroughly investigated in organisational settings, yet failure remains a major problem in higher education. This study examines the impact of Psychological Safety (PS) in facilitating students’ Learning From Failure (LFF), with a particular emphasis on how PS is influenced by teacher–student relationships (TSR). The unit of analysis of this study is students’ learning experiences within higher education institutions. A mixed-methods sequential explanatory approach was adopted in this research. Quantitative surveys were administered to 632 students across Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, and China. The quantitative results revealed that PS mediates the relationship between TSR and LFF, with variations observed across countries. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants in Saudi Arabia (n = 26), which demonstrated the strongest LFF relationship in the quantitative phase. The qualitative analysis highlighted cultural and institutional challenges to achieving psychological safety, including emotional control, hierarchical systems, and a lack of empowerment. Based on these findings, and using Design Science Research (DSR) approaches, the Psychological Safety Enhancement Framework (PSEF) was developed with the aim of increasing psychological safety in Saudi higher education. The PSEF was developed using five iterative artefacts and evaluated by Higher Education Institution (HEI) experts from the Saudi higher education community.This study contributes to higher education by addressing a knowledge gap concerning how failure-based learning is influenced by psychological safety in cross-cultural contexts. The results provide strategies for educators and policymakers to improve learning environments by integrating psychological safety concepts. The PSEF also provides a practical tool to support the development of PS in Saudi higher education institutions.