Personal, social and relational predictors of UK postgraduate researcher mental health problems

Abstract

Background Emerging evidence demonstrates that postgraduate researchers have high rates of mental health problems. These problems are distressing, affect PhD studies, and have longer-term potential effects beyond the duration of the PhD. Yet large-scale studies of multiple risk and protective factors are rare. Aims We aimed to test the predictive validity of a comprehensive set of potential determinants of mental health symptoms (depression, anxiety and suicidality) among postgraduate researchers in the UK, including personal, study-related, and supervision characteristics. Method We used regression models applied to data obtained from a national online survey of UK postgraduate researchers (Understanding DOCtoral researcher mental health; U-DOC, 2018–2019) to test predictors of mental health symptoms. Results These models show that postgraduate researchers' mental health symptoms are predicted by demographic, occupational, psychological, social and supervisory relationship factors. Greater perfectionism, more impostor thoughts and reduced supervisory communion most strongly and consistently predict mental health symptoms. Conclusions Institutions training postgraduate researchers should focus interventions intended to improve depression, anxiety, suicidality, on self-beliefs and social connectedness. Moreover, supervisors should be provided with training that improves the degree of agency, and especially communion, in the relationships they form with postgraduate researchers.

Prevalence and correlates of mental disorders among Chinese overseas students during the COVID-19: A multi-regional cross-sectional analysis

“…This study has revealed a correlation between educational level and mental disorders. Postgraduate and PhD students faced additional stress in managing research tasks and experimental projects, with unexpected closures and disruptions impeding progress [ 27 , 28 ]. Delays in graduation and weakened competitiveness in the job market exacerbated their mental health challenges [ 29 , 30 ].…”

Postgraduate researchers’ identities and wellbeing – what is the link and why does it matter?

“…Firstly, the unsurprising importance of social support in combating distress that can arise either from loneliness and isolation of doctoral work, and from being too enmeshed in it (Berry et al, 2021), was reiterated in our interviewees' reports, as was the apparently beneficial effect of belonging to multiple social groups (Iyer et al, 2009) that one could switch between, creating a level of distance and separation, even if -or especially if, contrary to Iyer and colleagues' findings -the multiple identities did not always have to be compatible and mutually reinforcing. The reports in our study also seem to support another of Berry et al's (2021) findings about the detrimental effect of too many social roles within the context of academia (researching, teaching, etc.)…”

“…For those for whom such validation -as well as the practical opportunity for networkingwas lacking on a regular basis, the experience of doctoral research could become adversely affected by maladaptive perfectionism, recognised by Berry et al (2021) as one of the chief contributors to ill mental health among doctoral students. In the words of one of the (externally funded) interviewee: "You start a PhD and it's like permanent sense of incompetence.…”

Qualitative Pilot Interventions for the Enhancement of Mental Health Support in Doctoral Students

“…Poor mental health has been identified as a central issue for doctoral students in the United Kingdom (UK) [1,2], Europe [3], and internationally [4]. Recent research has indicated a high prevalence of stress [5], psychological distress [6,7], and depression and anxiety [8] in doctoral students at UK universities. Poor resilience to stress has been identified in this population [9][10][11], which also contributes to poorer mental health outcomes.…”