THE CRITICAL ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL RISK AND SAFETY IN ELICITING WORKER WELL-BEING IN THE HEALTH CARE SECTOR IN JOS PLATEAU STATE

ABSTRACT This study investigates the interplay between psychological risks and psychological safety and their combined impact on employee well-being within some selected medical centres in Plateau State, Nigeria. The research was driven by increasing concerns over workplace psychosocial hazards such as excessive job demands, limited decision-making autonomy, toxic leadership practices, and poor interpersonal relationships, all of which have been shown to adversely affect the mental health, engagement, and productivity of employees. While physical safety has traditionally received greater organizational attention, the psychological dimensions of workplace health especially in high-pressure environments like healthcare have remained underexplored in developing contexts such as Nigeria. This study therefore aimed to examine how psychological risks influence worker well-being and how psychological safety can mitigate or transform these effects to foster healthier, more resilient work environments.A quantitative research design was adopted, employing structured questionnaires administered, of which 138 valid responses were retrieved from doctors, nurses, administrators, pharmacists, and other allied professionals across public and private healthcare institutions in Plateau State. Stratified random sampling ensured adequate representation of various professional groups. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, including multiple regression analysis.The findings revealed that psychological safety (β = 0.458, p< .001) emerged as the dominant and most significant predictor of employee well-being, explaining a substantial proportion of the observed variance (R² = 0.368). This indicates that the presence of a supportive and trusting work environment where employees feel safe to voice concerns, share ideas, and admit mistakes without fear of punishment plays a far more critical role in promoting well-being than the mere reduction of job-related stressors. Psychological risks (β = 0.200, p = .028) also showed a statistically significant but positive suppressor effect, suggesting that when psychological safety is strong, employees tend to perceive risks as manageable challenges that can foster personal growth, innovation, and a sense of purpose, rather than as threats to mental health.The findings further revealed demographic variations particularly among younger employees with less than five years of experience who reported lower well-being and safety levels, indicating the need for targeted support and mentorship for early-career healthcare workers.The study recommends that healthcare organizations institutionalize safety-building practices such as regular team huddles, open feedback sessions, and leadership training focused on empathy and inclusiveness. Moreover, integrating mental health policies and continuous psychological safety audits into workplace management systems can sustain long-term well-being and reduce burnout. Thisresearch contributes to the field of occupational and organizational psychology by providing empirical evidence from a developing-country context, reinforcing the theoretical shift from a reactive risk-management approach to a proactive safety-cultivation paradigm. It underscores that sustainable employee well-being in the Nigerian healthcare system depends not only on mitigating psychosocial risks but also on fostering a culture of psychological trust, openness, and collaboration.