A diary study of Australian lawyers working with traumatic material
Author(s)
Weir, Patricia
Jones, Liz
Sheeran, Nicola
Kebbell, Mark
Year published
2021
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Many lawyers experience regular exposure to traumatic material yet little is known about its effects. This study examines what traumatic material affects lawyers, how they respond in the moment and how they recover. The participants (n = 18 lawyers) completed a five-day diary study and a semi-structured interview regarding their experiences. The analysis identified clients’ negative emotions and experiences, domestic violence and child abuse as most impactful. The participants reported experiencing sadness, anger, frustration, disgust and/or compassion; some reported not being overly distressed or not experiencing emotions. ...
View more >Many lawyers experience regular exposure to traumatic material yet little is known about its effects. This study examines what traumatic material affects lawyers, how they respond in the moment and how they recover. The participants (n = 18 lawyers) completed a five-day diary study and a semi-structured interview regarding their experiences. The analysis identified clients’ negative emotions and experiences, domestic violence and child abuse as most impactful. The participants reported experiencing sadness, anger, frustration, disgust and/or compassion; some reported not being overly distressed or not experiencing emotions. Most participants reported using social support and emotion-focused coping strategies, drawing on their identities as lawyers to suppress or conceal emotions. At the end of a working day many participants reported coping by working longer hours but also through physical activity and social interactions. We discuss the implications for lawyers’ well-being and the role of organisations and education in managing the impacts of traumatic material.
View less >
View more >Many lawyers experience regular exposure to traumatic material yet little is known about its effects. This study examines what traumatic material affects lawyers, how they respond in the moment and how they recover. The participants (n = 18 lawyers) completed a five-day diary study and a semi-structured interview regarding their experiences. The analysis identified clients’ negative emotions and experiences, domestic violence and child abuse as most impactful. The participants reported experiencing sadness, anger, frustration, disgust and/or compassion; some reported not being overly distressed or not experiencing emotions. Most participants reported using social support and emotion-focused coping strategies, drawing on their identities as lawyers to suppress or conceal emotions. At the end of a working day many participants reported coping by working longer hours but also through physical activity and social interactions. We discuss the implications for lawyers’ well-being and the role of organisations and education in managing the impacts of traumatic material.
View less >
Journal Title
Psychiatry, Psychology and Law
Subject
Psychology
Criminology
Law and legal studies
Cognitive neuroscience
Sociology
Law in context
Applied and developmental psychology
traumatic material
social support
recovery
coping
diary
lawyers