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University of Southern Mississippi

​Burned Out but Barely Begun: A Qualitative Study on Newer Clergy and Communication Surrounding Emotional Labor and Personal Well-Being in South Mississippi

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>This study provides an overview of the concepts surrounding clergy burnout,</p> <p>organizational culture, and emotional labor theory. Furthermore, it explains the need</p> <p>for clearer understanding of clergy perceptions of their own personal</p> <p>experiences with burnout and their emotional wellbeing in relation to their organizational environment and careers as clergy members. The methodology of qualitative interviews sought to understand the narratives and experiences of clergy members from their own words and worldviews rather than from a statistical basis or analysis. </p> <p>This research found answers to key questions involving communication about burnout in the context of organizational culture and emotional labor, including the connection between lack of organizational support for clergy members and clergy members’ experiences with burnout, anecdotal evidence that there is little to know discussion about the subject of burnout or areas pertaining to emotional distress among clergy and those they serve, and that lack of boundaries and role clarification heavily contribute to feelings of burnout in clergy members. </p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Arts (MA)
Level thesis:degree_level
Masters Thesis
Year dc:date.available
2020

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Noll, Lauren
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Dr. John Meyer
  • Dr. Steven Venette
  • Dr. Paul Strait

Subjects

dc:subject × 7

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://aquila.usm.edu/masters_theses/787
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:aquila.usm.edu:masters_theses-1840

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
University of Southern Mississippi
Base URL
aquila.usm.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Noll, Lauren. ​Burned Out but Barely Begun: A Qualitative Study on Newer Clergy and Communication Surrounding Emotional Labor and Personal Well-Being in South Mississippi. Masters Thesis thesis, 2020. https://aquila.usm.edu/masters_theses/787