Date of Award

2012

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

Abstract

This study was intended to gain insight into key social psychological constructs in an unexplored work-group context: one premised on true team structure. Exploratory information on intra-group dynamics in Illinois mental health courts addressed levels of trust, communication, coordination, efficacy, and conflict resolution within mental health court teams.

A survey assessed how court group members associate these central variables with their teams. All reported relatively high levels of trust and team efficacy, and solid capacities for communication, coordination, and conflict resolution. No notable differences emerged in these variables relative to length of courts' operation. Team members from multiple disciplines held diverse roles, and members reported varied lengths of association with their programs; nevertheless, stability issues appeared not to impede intra-group dynamics.

It is suggested that inclusive-group research like this be expanded to multiple court environments and that future program evaluations include social dynamics in examinations of such specialized work groups.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

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