Date of Graduation
5-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
Degree Level
Undergraduate
Department
Sociology and Criminology
Advisor/Mentor
Dr. Alexia Angton
Committee Member
Dr. Rocio Ritter
Second Committee Member
Dr. LaShawnda Fields
Third Committee Member
Dr. Sophie Brady
Abstract
Given the high emotional toll of nonprofit work, burnout, secondary trauma, and compassion fatigue are prevalent among employees. This study examines how these phenomena manifest in individuals' everyday lives. Drawing on in-depth interviews with eleven nonprofit workers in the South-Central United States, the findings reveal three primary themes: the consequences of emotional labor, frustration with the system, and supportive strategies. Overall, participants described a tension between finding deep purpose and meaning in their work and experiencing an emotional burden that shapes how they engage with the world. These findings have implications for mental health care, organizational practices, advocacy and policy, and future research.
Keywords
Burnout; Secondary Trauma; Compassion Fatigue; Nonprofits
Citation
Kelly, A. K., & Angton, A. (2026). Sustaining Care in the Nonprofit Sector: A Qualitative Study on Burnout, Secondary Trauma, and Compassion Fatigue. Sociology and Criminology Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/sociuht/27
