Burnout in the DA's office: Correlates and coping strategies among male and female prosecutors

Abstract

Women's presence in legal education institutions and professions has increased dramatically in the last four decades. Triggered by this workforce shift, the present study extends the emerging research agenda of gender and occupational experience by identifying the correlates and consequences of burnout among public legal officials. Drawing on a sample of 156 prosecutors in a southern state in the U.S. (54 women and 102 men), our gender-specific analyses revealed distinct patterns in occupational conditions predictive of burnout and corresponding coping strategies. Structural stressors, such as heavy workload, were significant predictors of burnout for male prosecutors; whereas, emotional stressors were salient only for females. In response to burnout, males relied on instrumental and externalizing strategies; whereas, female prosecutors were more likely to use internalizing and avoidant methods. Our study adds to the empirical evidence toward establishing effective strategies for managing occupational stressors and burnout among public legal servants.