Date of Award

8-2025

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

School

Leadership

Committee Chair

Dr. Casey Maugh Funderburk

Committee Chair School

Leadership

Committee Member 2

Dr. Bhagyashree Barhate

Committee Member 2 School

Leadership

Committee Member 3

Dr. Jonathan Beedle

Committee Member 3 School

Leadership

Committee Member 4

Dr. Bradley Winton

Committee Member 4 School

Management

Abstract

Nonprofit burnout and turnover surpass all national industries, specifically in the social services subsector. In contrast to their for-profit counterparts, nonprofit turnover rates remain on the rise. While literature indicates that one of the primary drivers of nonprofit turnover is burnout, more granular research proposes that nonprofit social service employees encounter a distinct form of burnout generated by the exposure to secondary traumatic distress known as compassion fatigue. This study investigated the antecedents of this phenomenon by examining trait mindfulness as a moderator of work-life balance and compassion fatigue among nonprofit social service providers. To sustain a workforce that provides vital services and programs to families and communities in need, nonprofit organizations must prioritize work-life balance, facilitating employees’ recuperation from operating in high-demand, low-resource work environments. To mitigate the individual and organizational effects of compassion fatigue and promote a positive work-life balance, nonprofit leadership may consider nontraditional cognitive approaches growing in popularity, such as mindfulness. This quantitative correlational study employed a cross-sectional purposive sampling method utilizing Prolific, an online crowd-sourcing platform, and gathered data from 252 study participants. The findings revealed a significant correlation between the variables; however, trait mindlessness was not determined to moderate the relationship between them. Considering the study’s diverse demographics across job roles and subsectors, additional research is necessary to test the moderation further. The research outcomes are significant for nonprofit leadership and the academic community, as they enhance the understanding and inform strategies that improve work-life balance and manage compassion fatigue. The study’s results are particularly relevant to the nonprofit social service workforce, whose meaningful and purpose-driven efforts contribute to greater societal advancement.

ORCID ID

0009-0009-9755-8361

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