Evaluating Mental Health and Wellbeing of Postgraduate Researchers: Prevalence and Contributing Factors

Maria Gardani,Mark McCann,Jelena Milicev,Stephany M. Biello,Sharon A. Simpson

doi:10.1007/s12144-021-02309-y

Abstract

High rates of mental ill-health in postgraduate researchers (PGRs) represent a significant barrier to life satisfaction and academic success. Nevertheless, there is little knowledge about the extent and origins of mental health problems of PGRs in the UK. The current study addresses this gap by investigating the prevalence and provenance of anxiety, depression, sleep problems, subjective mental wellbeing, and suicide behaviours of PGRs in the UK. An online survey (N = 479) was used to measure the mental health outcomes and assess their relationships with demographic, trait and academic variables, policy, and social support. We found a high prevalence of mental ill-health and low levels of wellbeing in the current sample. Factors associated with poorer outcomes were female and non-binary gender, non-heterosexual identity, maladaptive perfectionism, workaholism and being in the 5th year of study or above. Resilience, adaptive perfectionism, higher levels of social support and positive evaluations of progress and preparation, departmental climate, and supervisory relationship were associated with more positive outcomes. The current findings contribute new knowledge about the prevalence of mental health symptoms in PGRs in the UK, implying that institutional efforts to improve PGR wellbeing should include strategies to promote equality, diversity, resilience, integration, social support, and work-life balance of PGRs.

Highlights

Recent research into the mental health and wellbeing of postgraduate researchers (PGRs)1 has revealed high rates of psychological distress and mental ill-health
Poor sleep is a common mental health complaint among postgraduate students and symptoms of insomnia often accompany those of depression and anxiety in this population (Levecque et al, 2017; Sheaves et al, 2016; UC Berkeley Graduate Assembly, 2014)
While hyperarousal associated with feelings of stress and worry is considered to be the main contributor to insomnia (Kalmbach et al, 2018), poor sleep can be propelling and perpetuating anxiety in those at high risk (Goldstein et al, 2013) A recent meta-analysis estimated the prevalence of insomnia among university students at 18.5% (Jiang et al, 2015), compared to 7.4% of the general population of a similar age (Ohayon, 2002)

Summary

Introduction

Recent research into the mental health and wellbeing of postgraduate researchers (PGRs) has revealed high rates of psychological distress and mental ill-health. High levels of academic engagement, interest in an academic career, and a positive view of one’s academic progress and preparation have a positive association with mental health and life satisfaction (Caesens et al, 2014; Levecque et al, 2017; UC Berkeley Graduate Assembly, 2014). Both PGRs who are behind their research schedule and those ahead of it tend to experience poorer mental health than those meeting the schedule (Barry et al, 2018), highlighting the importance of work-life balance in PGR wellbeing (cf Levecque et al, 2017). The current study focuses on the following: individual factors (demographics, traits and academic progress) interpersonal (supervisory relationship, social support), institutional/ cultural (field of study, departmental climate) and policy (funding)

Materials and Methods

Participants

Procedure

Results

Discussion

Conclusion

Methods