Exploring Special Education Paraprofessional Stress and Resilience: A Qualitative Study

• In Event: AERA Graduate Student Research-in-Progress Session 4
  In Roundtable Session: Research on the Education of Students With Disabilities: Racial Disparities, Student Persistence, Teacher Experiences, and Parent Interventions (Table 1)

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study is to understand how special education paraprofessionals, who work with students who have low incidence disabilities, experience stress and resilience through a compassion fatigue conceptual lens. I explore paraprofessional perspectives on stress factors relevant to workload and student challenges, along with their experiences of resilience relevant to professional development opportunities. Stress and burnout are prevalent in the field of special education, and understanding the factors that may influence paraprofessional job-related stress and self-efficacy is important and needed. More research on this topic will aim to fill a research gap and bolster the supports that connect the psychological wellbeing of paraprofessionals with their close work with students who have complex needs.

Author

• Samantha Wallin, The Camphill School