| The purpose of this study was to explore judicial resiliency through the personal experiences and perspectives of an experienced trial court judge, the Honorable Richard Jones. This exploratory case study examined the coping skills, traits, and attributes exhibited by Judge Jones over his career and in particular through the experience of presiding over the sentencing of Gary Leon Ridgway (State v. Ridgway, 2001), who was known as the Green River killer. This study used a variety of data collection strategies including interviews, document analysis, and courtroom observations that addressed the following themes: identity and development, crucibles, judicial stressors, and protective processes. Results of this study indicated that judges have a high need for resiliency due to significant stress resulting from isolation, workload pressures, safety and security concerns, highly emotional cases, public scrutiny, and media pressure. Judge Jones was found to be an highly resilient judge possessing a number of protective processes including a high degree of emotional and social intelligence, strong personal and professional identity, self-awareness, self-confidence, optimism, self-efficacy, empathy, ability to recognize emotions in others, and excellent communication skills. In addition to a high degree of tolerance for distress, Judge Jones possessed a number of specific coping and cognitive mechanisms including anticipatory coping, sense of humor, strong social support, and an active involvement in leisure time activities. |
