Effective communication with participants in court hearings: using polyvagal theory in the courtroom. (9th April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bailey, Rebecca; Bailey, Elizabeth
• Is Part Of: Juvenile & family court journal. Volume 73:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: 57
• Page End: 66
• Publication Date: 2022-04-09
• Subjects: Courts -- Courtrooms -- Polyvagal Theory -- Relf‐regulation/Co‐regulation -- Trauma‐informed -- Self‐care; Juvenile justice, Administration of -- United States -- Periodicals; Juvenile courts -- United States -- Periodicals; Domestic relations courts -- United States -- Periodicals; 346.015
• DOI: 10.1111/jfcj.12215
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0161-7109

Abstract

Abstract: The polyvagal theory introduces the premise that the autonomic nervous system (ANS) has an essential role in detecting threats and calming social engagement. In busy courtrooms, the subtle nuances of communication can be missed or overlooked. Messages of threat activate an autonomic state from calm to agitated beneath conscious awareness. When shifts occur, information can be misunderstood or misinterpreted, resulting in overly defensive responses from all parties. The polyvagal theory suggests a perspective that encourages self‐reflection and awareness to counterbalance the inevitable physical and mental stress of managing todays' courtrooms.