Local and Non-local Doctoral Students in Hong Kong: Do Stressors Differ with Students’ Origins?

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore whether local and non-local doctoral students in Hong Kong perceive their competency, supervisory style and institutional environment differently, and how these perceptions influence their stress levels. Two research questions are identified: Are there differences in the perceived competency and learning experiences of local and non-local doctoral students in Hong Kong? What are the factors resulting in doctoral students’ stress, and how do these differ with students’ origins? This study used survey data from the Comparative Study of Doctoral Education in Asian Flagship Universities. An analysis of 482 responses was conducted and analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple regressions were applied. The results show that non-local students (international students and those from the mainland) had higher levels of confidence in their competency and were more satisfied with their supervisors and institutional environments than local students. The regression analysis showed that factors influencing stress were different for local and non-local students. For example, perceived competency and an authoritarian supervisory style led to stress in Hong Kong local students, while they were less stressed in a supportive institutional environment. Perceived competency and a research- and resource-oriented culture led to stress in doctoral students from the mainland, but this was reduced when they felt that their relationship with their supervisor was more professional. International students were stressed due to the dissertation requirements and collegial supervisory style, but they felt less stressed if the culture was more autonomous. This study reveals implications for how the demands and expectations of local and non-local doctoral students should be considered differently, and it highlights the importance of encouraging mutually engaging learning experiences across students’ origins and making their learning communities meaningful.