Developing Psychological Safety and Trauma-Informed Care Practices at SAMK: A Strategy to Enhance Staff Awareness and Intervention for Students from Diverse Cultural Backgrounds

Abstract

Psychological safety, cultural sensitivity, and trauma-informed care are cornerstones in providing an inclusive academic environment, especially within higher education institutions with a diverse student population. Satakunta University of Applied Sciences hosts over 1,000 international students representing different cultural backgrounds, which has presented challenges on cultural adaptation, mental well-being, and academic success. The thesis explores how enhancing staff awareness and intervention strategies can improve the psychological safety and well-being of these students.

A qualitative approach was applied using thematic content analysis. Data collection methods used semi-structured questionnaires targeting specifically Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK) staff. From 27th November 2024 to 1st December 2024, the semi-structured questionnaire was administered to SAMK staff in order to gain a diversified degree of feedback from the staff who are directly engaged in the support of international students. The data were coded, classified, and analyzed systematically to come up with meaningful themes. The research discovered that staff placed high importance on the need to create a psychologically safe and inclusive environment for international students. They identified a variety of concerns, including language difficulties, cultural bewilderment, and the need for stronger institutional support structures to foster inclusivity.