ABSTRACT
Judicial stress is an important area of study, as judges' decisions have life-altering consequences for the immediate parties and, sometimes, society in general. Although there are numerous studies of judicial stress, few have specifically investigated the relationship between judicial stress and workplace incivility (i.e., rude or condescending behavior with ambiguous intent). This survey investigated relationships between workplace incivility and judicial stress, health, and job outcomes in a group of administrative judges. Overall, judges reported moderate levels of stress and low exposure to incivility. They indicated that incivility is a moderate problem, with attorneys as the most common source of incivility. Supporting the Model of Judicial Stress, workplace incivility was positively associated with levels of stress and compassion fatigue and negatively associated with job satisfaction. The relationships between incivility and measures of mental health, physical health, and compassion fatigue were all mediated by stress. Implications for judicial stress interventions include the need for judicial training and interventions to curb incivility.
Subject(s)
Compassion Fatigue , Incivility , Humans , Workplace/psychology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Job SatisfactionABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Studies indicate that a leading reason young people do not seek medical assistance for alcohol-related emergencies is worry of "getting in trouble". To assuage these fears, over 30 states and numerous universities have passed medical amnesty laws. However, there are variations in protections between states. Objectives: This study aimed to (1) assess students' knowledge of Nevada's medical amnesty law; (2) knowledge of alcohol poisoning indicators; (3) whether variations in the law's coverage relates to differences in intention to seek medical attention; (4) whether knowledge of the law is associated with intent to seek medical attention; and (5) whether attitudes, perceived norms, and personal agency are associated with intent to seek medical attention for an alcohol-related emergency, specifically alcohol poisoning. Method: This study surveyed 564 graduate and undergraduate students aged 18 and older from the University of Nevada, Reno. Results: The results suggest that that students were severely undereducated about the state's medical amnesty law. Having a medical amnesty law at all is related to increased intent to call for medical attention in an alcohol poisoning situation. Further, components of the integrated behavior model (i.e. attitudes, perceived norms, and perceived personal agency) are associated with increased intent to call for medical attention. Conclusions: The presence of medical amnesty laws versus a law providing no protections for underage drinkers is positively related to an individual's intention to seek medical attention in an alcohol-related emergency. Educational implications and recommendations for policy implementation are discussed.