Theses and Dissertations
Date of Award
2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice
Advisor
John Kellmayer
Committee Member
Jaime Arango
Committee Member
Kimberly Durham
Keywords
burnout, employee engagement, job demands, nonprofit organizations
Abstract
This applied dissertation was designed to explore how nonprofit employees perceive the role of job demands and burnout in shaping employee engagement. The study focused on nonprofit organizations in Southern Arizona and used a qualitative descriptive methodology to center employee voice and provide context-rich insights into workplace well-being. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 participants representing diverse roles and career stages. The study aimed to inform nonprofit leaders and stakeholders about the relational and structural conditions that influence engagement, resilience, and emotional labor in mission-driven environments.
Thematic analysis revealed six interrelated themes, including role multiplicity, time pressure, emotional labor, and the importance of autonomy, purpose, and relational trust. While participants expressed deep commitment to their organizations’ missions, they also described limited access to wellness resources and institutional support. The findings challenge assumptions that meaningful work inherently protects against burnout, showing that passion can become a source of depletion when not matched by adequate boundaries and recognition.
The study was delimited to a specific region and sample size to allow for in-depth exploration, but limitations include gender imbalance, reliance on self-reported data, and constraints on transferability. The results underscore the need for holistic organizational strategies that embed wellness into culture and practice. By surfacing the tension between mission and sustainability, the study contributes a nuanced understanding of nonprofit resilience and affirms the ethical imperative of care for those who carry out the mission.
NSUWorks Citation
Tania P. Sierra. 2026. Employee Perceptions on the Role of Job Demands and Burnout on Employee Engagement in Nonprofit Sector: A Qualitative Descriptive Study. Doctoral dissertation. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. (1136)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/fse_etd/1136.