Predictors of UK postgraduate researcher attendance behaviours and mental health-related attrition intention

Abstract

High rates of postgraduate researchers (PGRs) terminate their studies early. This attrition can have detrimental personal consequences, and results in a loss of productivity, and research and innovation for the higher education sector and society as a whole. PGRs are vulnerable to the experience of mental health problems; a factor that appears to be increasing attrition amongst students in the UK. However, investigation of the determinants of problems with PGRs’ attendance and influencing intention to discontinue their studies is rare. Here, we consider the relative predictive validity of a set of putative predictors (mental health symptoms, demographic, occupational, psychological, social, and relational) of attendance behaviours (absenteeism, presenteeism, mental health-related intermission) and early attrition intention amongst UK PGRs. Depression, anxiety, and suicidality predicted attendance behaviours and greater attrition intention. Individual demographic and occupational factors predicted all outcomes. Psychological, social and relational factors had less predictive validity, although individual variables in these conceptual clusters did significantly predict some outcomes. Our results suggest that interventions to reduce high rates of mental health problems are likely to improve attendance behaviours, and reduce the extent to which PGRs intermit or consider ending their PhD studies for mental health-related reasons. Initiatives designed to improve supervisory relationships and reduce loneliness may also reduce absenteeism, intermission and attrition intention.

Understanding the Mental Health of Doctoral Students

“…Several studies quantified the role the supervisor can play in mental health, namely how the relationship can be preventative of the development of mental health problems or may exacerbate wellbeing issues. Evidence from large sample surveys indicate that poor supervisory relationships or reduced supervisory agency predicted greater absenteeism, attrition intention, depression, and anxiety during doctoral research [19,20,41]. Of all predictive factors, including individual, relational, or social predictors of doctoral students' mental health and wellbeing, supervisory relationship agency was one of the strongest predicting factors identified in the U-DOC study [20].…”

“…Reduced social contact during the COVID-19 pandemic appeared to exacerbate these feelings [47,48], making isolation more of a concern. The U-DOC study (n = 3352) provides robust evidence that feelings of isolation from academic communities is the strongest predictor of mental health symptoms [20] and attrition intentions [19]. Feelings of belonging at university are also related to academic preparedness and satisfaction with the environment.…”

“…Concerns about attrition rates in doctoral education have also been addressed in research [16][17][18]. Although there is a lack of investigation of the determinants of attrition at doctoral level, research is beginning to highlight that mental health problems may predict attendance problems [19]. Doctoral students that experience poor mental health are more likely to be absent during their degree programme [20], discontinue their research [18], or interrupt their studies [19].…”

“…Although there is a lack of investigation of the determinants of attrition at doctoral level, research is beginning to highlight that mental health problems may predict attendance problems [19]. Doctoral students that experience poor mental health are more likely to be absent during their degree programme [20], discontinue their research [18], or interrupt their studies [19]. A survey of doctoral students studying in the UK indicated that up to a third had considered interrupting their studies due to poor mental health [21].…”

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

“…Poor resilience to stress has been identified in this population [9][10][11], which also contributes to poorer mental health outcomes. Further, research has explored how this contributes to absence and attrition in postgraduate research degrees in the UK [12]. This has negative consequences on a personal level and an institutional level, adversely affecting the research output of UK universities.…”