Document Type
Dissertation
Date of Award
2026
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (Ded)
Department
Educational Leadership
First Advisor
Jesse Sealey
Abstract
Researchers’ work found the superintendent role was increasingly complex. Superintendents experienced elevated stress, burnout, and turnover. However, the ways in which district context and coping strategies interacted to shape superintendent well-being remain insufficiently understood, particularly in rural settings. This study examined how school superintendents perceived and experienced occupational stress, the impact of that stress on their well-being and leadership, and the coping strategies they used. Notably, there was a focus on district size differentiation. Using a qualitative research design, data were collected through two focus groups in the western side of a rural state with superintendents representing districts with large and low numbers. The constructed findings showed stress was rarely tied to isolated events but accumulated over time through persistent external pressures such as community expectations, political demands, board relations, and fiscal constraints. Additionally, internal stressors included role overload, perfectionism, self-doubt, and professional isolation. Differences emerged by district size, with small-district superintendents experiencing intensified personal visibility and role multiplicity, while large-district leaders faced heightened political complexity and public scrutiny. Coping strategies that supported well-being included peer connection, boundary-setting, daily grounding routines, and intentional reframing of stress, whereas limited support systems contributed to increased emotional and physical strain. The researcher’s findings indicated that superintendent stress was systemic rather than individual, shaped by context and moderated by access to coping resources, underscoring the need for intentional support structures, governance clarity, and leadership preparation that prioritizes sustainability and well-being.
Subject Categories
Education | Educational Administration and Supervision
Keywords
Superintendent stress, educational leadership, rural school districts, occupational stress, burnout and turnover, district size differences, leadership well-being, coping strategies, role complexity, external pressures, internal stressors, political demands in education
Number of Pages
103
Publisher
University of South Dakota
Recommended Citation
Thompson, Robert Orion, "HOLDING THE DISTRICT TOGETHER WITH DUCT TAPE AND DETERMINIATION: A STUDY OF SUPERINTENDENT STRESS" (2026). Dissertations and Theses. 391.
https://red.library.usd.edu/diss-thesis/391