Turvatunne

Turvatunne, literally “feeling of security,” is a Finnish term used in psychology, education and social work to describe a person’s subjective sense of safety and security in relation to people, places and routines. It denotes confidence that one is protected from harm, that needs will be met, and that supportive relationships and predictable environments can be relied upon. A strong turvatunne supports emotional regulation, exploration, learning and well-being, while a weak or unstable turvatunne is associated with heightened stress, anxiety and avoidance.

The concept is rooted in attachment theory and child development and has been adopted in Finnish educational and welfare practices to emphasize secure caregiver relationships, consistent routines and safe social and physical surroundings. In early childhood, secure attachments with caregivers and trusted adults contribute to a robust turvatunne; in school settings, teachers’ responsiveness, classroom order and respectful peer relations foster it.

Turvatunne can be observed through behavior such as willingness to explore, persistence on tasks and cooperation with others, or assessed via self-report scales and reports from parents or teachers, especially in research and welfare contexts in Finland. Efforts to support turvatunne include predictable routines, clear communication, supportive feedback, safe physical spaces and trauma-informed approaches that acknowledge and respond to safety concerns of children and youths.

Culturally, the term is primarily used in Finnish discourse and may not have a direct one-to-one equivalent in other languages. Related concepts include attachment theory, sense of security and trauma-informed care.