Date
11-13-2024
Department
Helms School of Government
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice (PhD)
Chair
Blake Lafond
Keywords
Medicolegal, Coroner, criminal justice, burnout, trauma-informed response
Disciplines
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Recommended Citation
Thorpe, Ava Juliette, "Bearing The Weight: A Phenomenological Exploration of Burnout and Stress Among Medicolegal Investigators" (2024). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 6213.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/6213
Abstract
This phenomenological study aimed to investigate and comprehend the impact of burnout and associated maladaptive behaviors among medicolegal and coroner investigators in the United States. Burnout is broadly defined as factors impeding practitioners' physical and psychological well-being in these fields. Despite extensive research on burnout among criminal justice practitioners in trauma-informed care environments, there is a notable gap in the literature concerning support mechanisms for medicolegal and coroner systems (Slack, 2020). This study addressed this gap by exploring the lived experiences of medicolegal and coroner investigators, providing insights for addressing burnout in these contexts. The central problem addressed in this study is the impact of organizational stressors on job resiliency, compassion satisfaction, and turnover among medicolegal investigators. The participants are medicolegal investigators, and the study focused on medicolegal and coroner agencies. Social Cognitive Theory, guided by theorist Albert Bandura, framed the inquiry, emphasizing the role of observational learning, self-efficacy, and social influence in shaping the experiences of medicolegal investigators. Adopting a phenomenological approach, the study recognized the unique context of medicolegal and coroner agencies, unraveling the intricate interplay between burnout, stress, and perceived insulating factors. The outcomes derived from this study extend beyond understanding the challenges medicolegal investigators face. The findings contribute valuable insights to inform organizational strategies and policies, fostering a supportive environment to enhance the well-being and job satisfaction of medicolegal investigators and coroners in the complex field of death investigation.
