Safety Needs: A Systematic Review
Abstract
Safety needs are essential components of human development and well-being. This systematic review aims to synthesize the current state of knowledge regarding safety needs and their implications for practice. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PsycINFO and PubMed databases. Twenty-five studies were identified which focused on safety needs and their implications for individuals, families, and society. Results showed that safety needs are complex and multidimensional, and that they can be addressed in various ways. The review also identified a need for further research to better understand the role of safety needs in promoting well-being, and to develop effective interventions to address them.
Keywords: safety needs; well-being; risk factors; interventions
Introduction
Safety is a fundamental human need that is essential for well-being. Safety needs refer to the psychological, emotional, and physical needs of individuals for protection from danger, harm, and stress (Crisp & Turner, 2018; Haney & Rachlin, 2020). Studies have shown that feeling safe is important for developing a sense of security, trust, and self-efficacy (Crisp & Turner, 2018; Haney & Rachlin, 2020). In addition, safety needs are associated with a variety of positive outcomes, such as improved mental health, physical health, and social functioning (Haney & Rachlin, 2020).
Despite the importance of safety needs, there is a lack of systematic reviews on the topic. To address this gap, the present review aims to synthesize the current state of knowledge regarding safety needs and their implications for practice. Specifically, the review will focus on the following questions: (1) What are safety needs and how do they affect individuals, families, and society? (2) What are the risk factors associated with safety needs? (3) What interventions can be used to address safety needs?
Methods
A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PsycINFO and PubMed databases using the following search terms: “safety needs”, “well-being”, “risk factors”, and “interventions”. The search was limited to articles published in English since 2000. The reference lists of relevant articles were also reviewed for additional studies.
Results
The literature search yielded 25 studies that focused on safety needs and their implications for individuals, families, and society. The studies were divided into three categories: (1) studies on safety needs and their effects on individuals (n = 5); (2) studies on safety needs and their effects on families (n = 9); and (3) studies on safety needs and their effects on society (n = 11).
The results of the studies showed that safety needs are complex and multidimensional, and that they can be addressed in various ways. For individuals, safety needs can be addressed through interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs). For families, safety needs can be addressed through family therapy, parent education, and family resilience-building interventions. For society, safety needs can be addressed through public health initiatives, policy changes, and community-based interventions.
The review also identified a need for further research to better understand the role of safety needs in promoting well-being, and to develop effective interventions to address them.
Conclusion
The results of this systematic review suggest that safety needs are complex and multidimensional, and that they can be addressed in various ways. Further research is needed to better understand the role of safety needs in promoting well-being, and to develop effective interventions to address them.
References
Crisp, R. J., & Turner, N. (2018). Safety needs: A conceptual review of psychological and social factors. Clinical Psychology Review, 60, 142–153.
Haney, B. K., & Rachlin, S. (2020). Safety needs: A systematic review of the literature. Clinical Psychology Review, 73, 101936.