• DOI:10.20944/preprints201910.0264.v1
• Corpus ID: 207812247

The Effects of the Justice System on the Mental Health of Plaintiffs and Defendants

@inproceedings{Clemente2019TheEO,
  title={The Effects of the Justice System on the Mental Health of Plaintiffs and Defendants},
  author={Miguel Clemente and Dolores Padilla-Racero},
  year={2019}
}

• M. Clemente, Dolores Padilla-Racero
• Published 23 October 2019
• Psychology

This study aimed to assess the psychological effects of being processed by the justice system, either as a plaintiff or as a defendant. The sample consisted of 360 subjects, 32.8% defendants and 52.2% plaintiffs, residents in the Autonomous Community of Galicia (NW Spain). A lot of psychological test were administered. The results indicated significant differences between plaintiffs and defendants. The former were more pessimistic about the future, used poor strategies for protecting health, and had less empathy. In contrast, defendants had a more negative outlook on life, and in general more psychosomatic symptomology. Thus, both defendants and plaintiffs suffered health problems. Moreover, the group with the longest exposure to litigation had the worst deteriorated health. In conclusion, defendants were more pessimistic about the future, used poor strategies for protecting their own health, and showed less empathy. Likewise, plaintiffs had a more negative outlook on life, and on the whole presented more psychosomatic symptomology. Thus, both defendants and plaintiffs presented health problems. Moreover, the comparison between litigants and non-litigants showed health was more deteriorated in the former, but only in a few specific variables.