Date of Conferral

1-7-2026

Date of Award

January 2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Jane Coddington

Abstract

Despite the harm of substances, coworkers in hospitals, healthcare facilities, and urgent care centers found themselves among healthcare professionals who misused substances such as alcohol and prescription medication. Grounded in social cognitive theory, the purpose of this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of coworkers who have been exposed to healthcare professionals’ substance misuse. The participants consisted of 12 healthcare professionals working in various hospitals, healthcare facilities, and urgent care centers in the United States. Data were collected using semistructured interviews. Through Colaizzi’s seven-step analysis, five themes emerged: (a) emotional experiences, (b) ethical reflections, (c) cognitive awareness and sense making, (d) relational dynamics, and (e) organizational awareness. Findings revealed that coworkers often experience moral tension between protecting patient safety and supporting colleagues in crisis. Healthcare leaders can use these identified strategies to initiate organizational policies that balance accountability with empathy, provide structured rehabilitation programs, and enhance leadership engagement in creating safety, further education, supportive work environments, ethical culture, and resilience and workforce recovery. Recommendations include healthcare professionals implementing peer support interventions, establishing a leadership ethics framework, and providing ongoing training in ethical decision making and wellness. The implications for positive social change include the potential for healthcare leaders to promote a culture of openness and recovery-oriented practice, which develops organizational integrity, creates healthier workplaces, and fosters community trust in healthcare systems for optimal care.

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