The Effect of Workplace Social Courage on Mental Well-Being: The Role of Psychological Safety

Abstract

Purpose – The main purpose of the study is to examine the effect of workplace social courage on employees’ mental well-being and to determine the mediating role of psychological safety in this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach – The study employed a quantitative method, and data were collected through surveys. The research was conducted with data obtained from 420 employees working in different sectors. The data were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, followed by mediation analysis.
Results – Workplace social courage was found to have a positive effect on employees’ mental well-being and their perception of psychological safety. In addition, psychological safety was identified as playing a significant mediating role in the relationship between social courage and mental well-being.
Discussion – The courage of employees to express what is right in challenging and risky situations in the workplace positively affects their mental health. This, in turn, increases job satisfaction and improves the quality of workplace relationships. Moreover, employees who act courageously tend to feel safer in the work environment; this sense of safety strengthens the effect of social courage on mental well-being.