Date of Award
6-2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
Executive Leadership
First Supervisor
Dr. Angela Clark-Taylor
Second Supervisor
Dr. Wanda Cooper
Abstract
This qualitative study, grounded in the job demands-resources (JD-R) theory, explores the lived experiences of K-12 principals in suburban communities as they encounter vicarious trauma (VT). The study aims to fill a gap in the research by examining how these leaders deliberately employ strategies to replenish their emotional and somatic resources and develop resilience. The role of school principals has evolved significantly, now requiring them to provide substantial social-emotional support for both students and staff, which exposes them to others' traumatic experiences. This exposure can lead to vicarious trauma, a deep psychological transformation resulting in emotional exhaustion, compassion fatigue, and burnout.
Using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach, the research addresses three key questions: how K-12 principals in suburban communities perceive that vicarious trauma affects their somatic and emotional well-being; what specific somatic and emotional resource replenishment strategies (e.g., mindfulness, social support, self-care) they utilize to manage the effects of vicarious trauma, as well as the challenges and supports encountered in this process; and what supportive resources or interventions these principals recommend to help manage vicarious trauma and promote their somatic and emotional well-being. Data was collected through semi-structured individual interviews to gather rich narratives and a member check-in to confirm findings. This data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify patterns and themes related to how principals replenish somatic and emotional resources and build resilience. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the embodied reality of vicarious trauma in educational leadership and provide practical recommendations for supporting the longevity and well-being of school leader.
Recommended Citation
Garcia, Rachael A., "A Phenomenological Study of the Lived Experiences of Vicarious Trauma and Emotional and Somatic Resource Replenishment Among K-12 School Principals in Suburban Communities" (2026). Education Doctoral. Paper 645.
https://fisherpub.sjf.edu/education_etd/645
Please note that the Recommended Citation provides general citation information and may not be appropriate for your discipline. To receive help in creating a citation based on your discipline, please visit http://libguides.sjfc.edu/citations.