Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

School

Education

Advisor

Dr. Sarah Inkpen

Abstract

The problem investigated in this study is the high attrition rate in academic advisors (AA) that may be caused by compassion fatigue (CF). The purpose of this quantitative study was to address the high attrition rate in AAs by exploring the association between CF in AAs in higher education institutions across the United States and the associated factors education level, cohort size, and years in the profession. Guided by the National Academic Advising Association academic advising core competencies framework, the research questions explored if the associated factors predicted CF in AAs. The Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) and a demographic questionnaire were administered to 125 AAs across the United States to identify the CF level as well as education level, cohort size, and years in the profession. A chi-square test of independence was planned to use but the statistical assumption could not be met because some of the groups did not experience CF. Therefore, data anlaysis plan was replaced by a multiple linear regression analysis. Multiple regression was used to predict CF from education level, cohort size, and years in the profession. The multiple regression model was significant with CF, F (3, 123) = 3.807, p =.012, adj. R2 = .079, revealing that the cohort size is a statistically significant factor in influencing CF in AA. Therefore, positive social change can be accomplished when the results of this study are shared with higher education administrators and leaders to emphasize the significance of the assigned cohort size to each AA. In the long term, a higher education institution might consider adjusting AA’s workload accordingly.

Download

Share

 
COinS