Stress, Trauma, and Wellbeing in the Legal System: Where Do We Go from Here?

This conclusion chapter summarizes, compares, and contrasts the ideas presented across the previous chapters and provides recommendations for areas of future research. The chapter also discusses two populations that come into contact with the legal system that likely experience stressors as a result of their involvement, but have yet to be studied: Alternative Dispute Resolution professionals and eyewitnesses. These are important populations to study, and some interventions have already been adopted to address the wellbeing of these populations. These interventions are largely untested, and this chapter offers analysis based on theory and related research. Existing approaches to addressing stress and wellbeing can be categorized as either changing the environment or changing the people. Short-term and long-term recommendations for addressing stress in the legal system are offered.