Science of Wellbeing: Helpers, Resilience, and Burnout
In our next installment of the Science of Wellbeing we take a look at the connection between those who serve and the communities they care for. This relationship is powerful and too often overlooked. In a recent article by Henriques et al. (2024), the authors explore how community resilience impacts burnout among human service workers (HSWs). Their research highlights something many of us in care-centered professions intuitively know: the environments we work in matter, and our relationships with the community we seek to serve can significantly shape our professional (and personal) well-being.
At the heart of the study is a familiar concern for many, burnout. Whether it's social workers, counselors, housing advocates, or case managers, those who provide direct services often carry heavy emotional loads. The article makes it clear: burnout is not just an individual issue. It can be shaped by our community.
What Is Community Resilience?
Henriques and colleagues ground their definition of community resilience in the Communities Advancing Resilience Toolkit (CART), which frames community resilience through five dimensions: “connection and caring, community resources, transformative potential, disaster management, and information and communication (p.326).”
Put simply, a resilient community is one that can adapt, respond, and grow stronger in the face of adversity. And for HSWs, believing they’re working in such a community doesn’t just boost morale, it can measurably lower burnout.
About the Study
The research was conducted between August of 2020 and January 2021, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, and included 598 participants—most of whom were women and married. A few notable findings:
Older participants reported lower burnout levels, possibly due to more developed coping strategies.
Workers in child and youth services also experienced less burnout.
Burnout was significantly lower among those who perceived the communities they served as resilient.
Two key pathways emerged in how community resilience influenced burnout:
Through subjective well-being:
When HSWs believed their communities to be resilient, it positively impacted their own well-being.
That boost in well-being helped reduce burnout.
Through community attachment:
A belief in community resilience strengthened an HSW’s emotional connection to the community.
That sense of connection also served as a protective factor against burnout.
What This Means
For Individuals:
If you're a frontline service worker, your perception of the community you serve can make a real difference. Feeling connected and seeing the community as resourceful and capable can be a source of personal well-being. It's not just about doing the work; it’s about being in relationship with the people and places you serve. That connection can become a wellspring of purpose and protection.
For Organizations:
Organizations have a clear opportunity here: create meaningful bridges between staff and the communities they support. This could mean hosting local events, encouraging staff-led volunteer days, or inviting community voices into advisory roles. When team members feel part of something bigger and feel connected to the people they serve; it strengthens both their well-being and their commitment.
For Communities:
Communities aren’t just recipients of care—they’re active participants in the wellness of those who serve them. Creating spaces of mutual support, celebrating local strengths, and staying engaged with service providers can foster the kind of resilient ecosystem where everyone thrives. When communities are empowered and connected, they help sustain the very people working to make them better.
At Fostering Wellness, we believe that sustainable care begins with connection. If you're a professional feeling the weight of service, an organization rethinking how to support your team, or a community leader ready to invest in collective well-being—we’re here to help. Let’s build resilience together.
Reach out to learn more about our training, retreats, and customized support for individuals, organizations, and communities.