Quantitative and Qualitative Factors Associated with Social Isolation Among Graduate and Professional Health Science Students

Ray, Mary E.; Coon, Jessica Marie; Al‐Jumaili, Ali Azeez; Fullerton, Miranda

doi:10.5688/ajpe6983

Cited by 36 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…This is a critical oversight that requires addressing to meet the needs of graduate students; those in our study reported experiences of isolation, lacking connection, and fewer social ties to the university and to their peers than undergraduate students. While addressing wellness and mental health among graduate students has become prioritized in academia and research (Grady et al, 2013;Ray et al, 2019;Scherr et al, 2020), we found that graduate students who lacked social connectedness and experienced isolation may have a false sense of security that they will not experience SVSH, at least not in the "stereotypical" ways that undergraduates do. This may lead graduate students to ignore or disengage with efforts the university does have in place to address SVSH.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Employees, Advisees, and Emerging Scholars: A Qualitative Analysis of Graduate Students' Roles and Experiences of Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment on College Campuses

Bloom

Sorin

Wagman

et al. 2021

Sexuality & Culture

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Sexual violence and sexual harassment (SVSH) are pervasive across university campuses. SVSH research rarely focuses on graduate students, who occupy unique positions within university settings due to their multiple responsibilities (e.g., teaching, research, mentoring), including managing unequal power dynamics with mentors and advisors. As part of a larger qualitative study, we sought to better understand SVSH generally and, when applicable, experiences of SVSH among graduate students on three campuses. Our primary research questions were: (a) How graduate students understand SVSH on their campus and whether they are at risk, (b) How graduate students navigate power dynamics that position them to experience SVSH, and (c) What graduate student-centered solutions and improvements can make campuses safer, more equitable spaces for all students. To answer these questions, we conducted 21 in-depth interviews and 8 focus group discussions with a diverse group of graduate students across various graduate programs. Using grounded theory and implementing student-centered approaches to data collection and analysis, we identified multiple themes, including graduate students’ uncertainty regarding SVSH on campus; and how power relations with faculty, combined with distrust of university processes, keep many graduate students silent about SVSH. Finally, employing graduate students’ suggestions, we offer recommendations for how universities can improve campus climate and SVSH resources for graduate students.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Employees, Advisees, and Emerging Scholars: A Qualitative Analysis of Graduate Students' Roles and Experiences of Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment on College Campuses

Bloom

Sorin

Wagman

et al. 2021

Sexuality & Culture

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“… 21 A study of social isolation in the U.S. found 19.4% of healthcare college students experience social isolation due to overwhelming study. 10 However, according to the WHO report in 2015, the prevalence of depression and anxiety in Iraq was 3.7% and 4.5%, respectively. 1…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although there are many studies of medical students’ mental health, there is little research evaluating mental health in pharmacy students. 10 One study in the United States (U.S.) including students of five healthcare colleges found that 19.4% of the participants had social isolation. 10 This study found that interpersonal (relationships with faculty and other students), and organization (university/college requirement) factors can be associated with student social isolation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 10 One study in the United States (U.S.) including students of five healthcare colleges found that 19.4% of the participants had social isolation. 10 This study found that interpersonal (relationships with faculty and other students), and organization (university/college requirement) factors can be associated with student social isolation. 10 Studies have shown that the prevalence of depression among pharmacy students ranges from as low as 22.6% (in Malaysia) to as high as 51.5% (in Egypt).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Measuring depression and anxiety prevalence among Iraqi healthcare college students using hospital anxiety and depression scale

Kathem¹,

Al-Jumail²,

Noor-Aldeen³

et al. 2021

Pharm Pract (Granada)

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Objective: The study aimed to 1) measure the prevalence of depression and anxiety among Iraqi pharmacy and medical students at a number of universities in Baghdad using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and 2) investigate the association between various sociodemographic factors and students’ HADS scores. Methods: This study was based on a cross-sectional descriptive design in four universities in Baghdad, Iraq. Depression and anxiety were screened using an Arabic version of the HADS. An online survey was administered via Qualtrics to convenience samples of students at four colleges of pharmacy and a college of medicine between March and June 2018. Multiple linear regression was used to identify factors associated with depression and anxiety symptoms among the participants. Results: The researchers received 750 usable surveys. The participating students spent more time browsing social media (6.64 hours/day) than studying (1.92 hours/day) and exercising (2.83 hours/week). Approximately forty-six percent (45.9%) of the participants had scores that indicated depression symptoms and one-quarter (24.8%) had scores that indicated depression borderline symptoms. More than one-half (52.1%) of the participants had scores that indicated anxiety symptoms, while 20.1% had scores that indicated anxiety borderline symptoms. According to the multiple linear regression analysis, more depression and anxiety symptoms were significantly (p-value <0.05) associated with higher study hours weekly and lower sleep hours at night, academic achievement, and colleagues and family social support during exams. Conclusions: Pharmacy and medical students may be vulnerable to depression and anxiety because of long study hours.. To reduce their levels of anxiety and depression, they may need more social support, more exercise, more sleep, less social media use and a lower academic workload.

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“…According to deChambeau (2014), "the practice of becoming an accomplished and successful student, who is able to develop scholarly abilities and deepen disciplinary understanding, experience personal growth and achievement, while at the same time maintaining a healthy school-work-life balance is a non-trivial exercise" (p. 16). Faculties are encouraged to implement networking opportunities for graduate students to build relationships, receive support and interact with faculty and nonfaculty members to develop their skills and competencies (DeClou, 2016;Ray et al, 2019). Palmer (2002) noted that "academic culture is infamous for fragmentation, isolation and competitive individualism, with no sense of being part of a community" (p. 179).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A community of practice for graduate students in health sciences

Wazni

Gifford

Cantin

et al. 2021

HEED

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PurposeThe aim of this study was to describe the experiences of graduate students who participated in the community of practice (CoP) and identify areas for improvement to support academic success.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 19 graduate students engaged in a CoP to facilitate social interactions, knowledge sharing and learning within a culture of scholarship. A descriptive qualitative research study was conducted using semistructured interviews with eight participants who had attended the CoP meeting.FindingsAll participants were from the School of Nursing and perceived the CoP to be beneficial, particularly international students who had challenges in adapting to new academic and social environments. Areas for improvement include creating a group structure that enhances belonging and learning.Originality/valueThis is the first CoP that was implemented at the Faculty of Health Sciences at the authors’ university. It has been the authors’ experience that a CoP can benefit graduate students through networking, knowledge sharing, social support and learning. The finding of this research will be used to inform a new CoP to address the needs of graduate students. The authors will be adapting the CoP to the current context that includes a virtual platform during the COVID-19 pandemic and will include content specific for international students.

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Quantitative and Qualitative Factors Associated with Social Isolation Among Graduate and Professional Health Science Students

Cited by 36 publications

References 29 publications

Employees, Advisees, and Emerging Scholars: A Qualitative Analysis of Graduate Students' Roles and Experiences of Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment on College Campuses

Employees, Advisees, and Emerging Scholars: A Qualitative Analysis of Graduate Students' Roles and Experiences of Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment on College Campuses

Measuring depression and anxiety prevalence among Iraqi healthcare college students using hospital anxiety and depression scale

A community of practice for graduate students in health sciences

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