Understanding the capacities of mid-level supervisors in addressing burnout resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic: an interpretive phenomenological analysis
Аннотация:The purpose of this Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis study was to understand how mid-level professionals in student affairs experience their own capacity for and training experiences in minimizing burnout from stressors related to the COVID-19 pandemic at colleges and universities in New England. Herzberg's two factor theory of motivation served as the theoretical framework for this research study, as it described the how supervision can impact job satisfaction. Seven mid-level supervisors from New England colleges and universities participated in two semi-structured interviews. Findings from data analysis included: (a) mid-level supervisors are challenged with guiding staff through change where institutions of higher education struggle with adaptability; (b) supervisors understand empathy and constructive relationships as important supervisory capacities to minimize burnout; (c) while supervision can aid in minimizing burnout among direct reports, it may not individually address the pervasive and complex issue; and (d) supervisory capacity development in student affairs is experiential and lacking robust, formal training practices. This study illustrated how mid-level supervisors understood their abilities and limitations of reducing burnout within complex college and university environments. Recommendations from this study included implications for senior student affairs officers and human resources management including offering institutional specific, cohort-based supervisor training and development initiatives and improved supervisor onboarding processes.--Author's abstract
