Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, and Compassion Satisfaction Among School Principals

• In Event: Fairmont Roundtable Session Eighteen
  In Roundtable Session: Teacher Burnout and Stress (Table 19)

Abstract

There is evidence that the pandemic redefined schooling and school leadership. School leaders have to lead adaptively, build resilience, and create new structures while taking care of their students, families, and staff. What is less clear is the extent to which school leaders are feeling burnout, compassion fatigue, and compassion satisfaction. This study analyzed the response of 356 school principals in the USA to the Professional Quality of Life Scale which measured burnout, compassion fatigue, and compassion satisfaction. School principals reported experiencing similar levels of compassion fatigue and burnout as those in the medical profession. School principal role and school context were found to predict higher rates of compassion fatigue and burnout. Several implications for practice and research are proposed.

Authors

• Kristen Speakman, Vineland Public Schools
  Presenting Author

• Aubrey H. Wang, Saint Joseph's University
  Presenting Author