PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY, STRATEGIC HR PRACTICES, AND EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT: EVIDENCE FROM HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS

Abstract

This study examines the role of psychological safety in linking strategic human resource (HR) practices with employee engagement in healthcare organizations. The research adopts a cross-sectional, quantitative design grounded in organizational psychology. Data were collected through a survey of employees working in hospitals and clinics under the Ghana Health Service and the Christian Health Association of Ghana. A total of 213 valid responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and mediation testing.The findings reveal that strategic HR practices are positively correlated with employee engagement and have a significant positive effect on employees’ perceptions of psychological safety. Psychological safety is identified as a strong predictor of employee engagement and partially mediates the relationship between strategic HR practices and engagement. These results suggest that HR practices enhance engagement levels, particularly when they foster a psychologically safe work environment where employees feel comfortable sharing ideas, concerns, and opinions without fear of negative consequences.The study contributes to the field of organizational psychology by highlighting psychological safety as a key psychosocial mechanism linking organizational practices and employee attitudes, especially within high-demand healthcare settings.