Presenter(s)
Ariana Huntington
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Treatment courts are specialized programs designed to divert individuals from incarceration while supporting recovery and rehabilitation. With more than 4,000 treatment courts operating nationwide and serving over 150,000 individuals annually, they represent a critical component of the criminal justice system. Treatment court staff may be particularly vulnerable to stress due to sustained exposure to complex substance use cases and systemic, administrative, and team-related demands. Assessing staff well-being is therefore essential, as it has implications for court effectiveness, workforce stability, and overall system functioning. Despite this importance, limited research has examined the experiences of treatment court professionals. The purpose of this exploratory pilot study was to examine the experiences and well-being of a treatment court team and affiliated professionals whose work is central to program success. Methods: A cross-sectional survey employing purposive sampling was used to collect data from treatment court team members and associated staff. Demographic variables and responses from a 5-point Likert-type instrument, measuring team satisfaction, were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Item-level means and individual scores were reported, with overall team satisfaction calculated using the group mean. Open-ended responses were analyzed line by line through thematic analysis to identify key words, phrases, and patterns across participants' responses, which were used to contextualize and support the quantitative findings. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained prior to initiation of the project. Results: Participants (N = 9) completed demographic items, with the largest proportion (33%) reporting ages between 40 and 49 years and 6–9 years of treatment court experience. Team satisfaction measurements and qualitative analyses were based on the seven respondents who completed the full survey. Item-level satisfaction means ranged from 3.43 to 4.71, indicating moderate to high agreement across domains of team functioning. Individual mean satisfaction scores ranged from 3.57 to 4.78 on the 5 point scale, reflecting moderate to high satisfaction among team members. Overall group satisfaction was high, with a mean score of 4.23. Thematic analysis of open ended responses identified three primary themes: improved participant quality of life, professional passion and resilience, and the complexity of needs within the treatment court setting. Several subthemes further elaborated and strengthened these findings. Conclusion: Findings from this project suggest that treatment court team members report high overall satisfaction with team functioning, while also recognizing the complex and demanding nature of serving individuals with multifaceted needs. Results demonstrated consistently positive satisfaction ratings and qualitative findings highlighted the passion and commitment along with managing the complexities of situations. These results support the value of treatment courts as collaborative programs that positively impact participants' quality of life, and contribute to professional fulfillment among team members. Future implications include the continued use of satisfaction assessments as a tool for monitoring team functioning and identifying areas for targeted support and system improvement.
College
College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Department
Nursing
Campus
Winona
First Advisor/Mentor
Maryann Abendroth
Location
Kryzsko Great River Ballroom, Winona, Minnesota; United States
Start Date
4-23-2026 10:00 AM
End Date
4-23-2026 11:00 AM
Presentation Type
Poster Session
Format of Presentation or Performance
In-Person
Session
1b=10am-11am
Poster Number
36
Beyond Caseloads and Calendars: Measuring Staff Satisfaction in Treatment Court
Kryzsko Great River Ballroom, Winona, Minnesota; United States
Background and Purpose: Treatment courts are specialized programs designed to divert individuals from incarceration while supporting recovery and rehabilitation. With more than 4,000 treatment courts operating nationwide and serving over 150,000 individuals annually, they represent a critical component of the criminal justice system. Treatment court staff may be particularly vulnerable to stress due to sustained exposure to complex substance use cases and systemic, administrative, and team-related demands. Assessing staff well-being is therefore essential, as it has implications for court effectiveness, workforce stability, and overall system functioning. Despite this importance, limited research has examined the experiences of treatment court professionals. The purpose of this exploratory pilot study was to examine the experiences and well-being of a treatment court team and affiliated professionals whose work is central to program success. Methods: A cross-sectional survey employing purposive sampling was used to collect data from treatment court team members and associated staff. Demographic variables and responses from a 5-point Likert-type instrument, measuring team satisfaction, were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Item-level means and individual scores were reported, with overall team satisfaction calculated using the group mean. Open-ended responses were analyzed line by line through thematic analysis to identify key words, phrases, and patterns across participants' responses, which were used to contextualize and support the quantitative findings. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained prior to initiation of the project. Results: Participants (N = 9) completed demographic items, with the largest proportion (33%) reporting ages between 40 and 49 years and 6–9 years of treatment court experience. Team satisfaction measurements and qualitative analyses were based on the seven respondents who completed the full survey. Item-level satisfaction means ranged from 3.43 to 4.71, indicating moderate to high agreement across domains of team functioning. Individual mean satisfaction scores ranged from 3.57 to 4.78 on the 5 point scale, reflecting moderate to high satisfaction among team members. Overall group satisfaction was high, with a mean score of 4.23. Thematic analysis of open ended responses identified three primary themes: improved participant quality of life, professional passion and resilience, and the complexity of needs within the treatment court setting. Several subthemes further elaborated and strengthened these findings. Conclusion: Findings from this project suggest that treatment court team members report high overall satisfaction with team functioning, while also recognizing the complex and demanding nature of serving individuals with multifaceted needs. Results demonstrated consistently positive satisfaction ratings and qualitative findings highlighted the passion and commitment along with managing the complexities of situations. These results support the value of treatment courts as collaborative programs that positively impact participants' quality of life, and contribute to professional fulfillment among team members. Future implications include the continued use of satisfaction assessments as a tool for monitoring team functioning and identifying areas for targeted support and system improvement.
Comments
Huntington, Ariana R