Ms Daniela Ravera1, Professor Yvette Tinsely1, Dr Nichola Tyler2
1Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, , New Zealand, 2Centre For Forensic Behavioural Science, Swinburne University Of Technology, Melbourne, Australia
Biography:
Dr Nichola Tyler is a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology in the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science at Swinburne University of Technology. Nichola’s research focuses on improving understanding, assessment, and prevention of deliberate firesetting and arson, and justice professionals' wellbeing.
Abstract:
While the impacts of emotional labour on wellbeing are well documented, until recently there was little independent data regarding the specific experiences and impacts of working with emotion and emotional labour in the criminal law. This paper will present findings from a qualitative study that explored New Zealand defence lawyers’ experiences of working with emotion and emotional material in their role. Fourteen defence lawyers participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Four themes were developed that described defence lawyers’ experiences of working with emotion and emotional material: industry expectations versus the reality of the role, managing emotions in the moment, personal conflict of working in a broken criminal justice system, and factors that help and hinder wellbeing while working with emotion. The implications of the findings for the legal profession will be considered. The need for further research, policy, and practice to support defence lawyers with the impacts of working with emotion and emotional labour in their role will be discussed.