Caring for Yourself as an Adjunct Faculty Member

Abstract

Adjunct faculty members must cope with low wages, a lack of benefits and job security, and poor working conditions, all of which amount to burnout and emotional exhaustion. Although there has been extensive research conducted on the working conditions and pay of adjunct instructors, there is little research conducted on the self-care strategies for emotionally exhausted adjunct faculty. This chapter will include a review of literature that identifies five key strategies to positively influence the self-efficacy and wellbeing of adjunct faculty members: understanding the self; positive, social, interpersonal relationships; social-emotional skills and emotional intelligence; cognitive reappraisal; and, a positive work-life balance. This chapter concludes with a discussion on the need to continue to find strategies that positively influence the self-efficacy of adjunct faculty, whether through self-care, professional development, or institutional strategies to improve working conditions.