Experiences Of Doctoral Students Research Articles

Exploring the interplay of academic stress, motivation, emotional intelligence, and mindfulness in higher education: a longitudinal cross-lagged panel model approach

Students in higher education often encounter significant academic pressure, which can have profound implications for their mental health and academic performance. The current study employs a two-wave longitudinal design to investigate the dynamic interrelationships among academic stress, academic motivation, emotional intelligence, and mindfulness. The study employed a cross-lagged panel model to investigate the temporal interactions among these four constructs and their influence on the academic experiences of doctoral students. The sample consisted of 643 individuals at Time 1 (September/October 2022), followed by a subsequent assessment involving 413 participants (July/August 2023). Notably, there was an overlap of 373 participants who were evaluated at both time points. The results indicated the presence of substantial reciprocal relationships among the constructs under investigation. The outcomes indicated that elevated emotional intelligence and mindfulness levels are associated with reduced academic stress and enhanced motivation. The implications of this analysis underscore the necessity of facilitating interventions aimed at enhancing emotional intelligence and mindfulness. These components are instrumental in promoting resilience and supporting academic success among students. These longitudinal insights hold significant importance within the academic literature as they elucidate the various stressors doctoral students encounter. Furthermore, this research provides practical implications for educators and policymakers in formulating targeted strategies to enhance student well-being and improve educational outcomes.

Woven: the intersections of disability and doctoral study, and the lives of students who navigate these intersections

Purpose This paper aims to understand the experiences of disabled doctoral students at one Aotearoa New Zealand University, identifying barriers to accessibility and meaningful participation, and enabling practices. Design/methodology/approach This research was underpinned by the social model of disability and used an explanatory sequential mixed methods approach. A survey comprising closed and freeform questions was distributed to all doctoral students. From the 64 respondents, 12 also took part in an unstructured, narrative interview. Data were analysed using a combination of methods: descriptive statistics, thematic analysis and poetic inquiry. Findings Findings are presented mainly as data poetry. The poems centre on complexities faced by disabled doctoral students, and articulate challenges, enabling practices and possibilities for the future encountered by students in this study. Findings are additionally supported with quotes from narrative interviews, open-ended survey questions and descriptive data analysis. Originality/value The poetic inquiry approach gives voice to the collective experiences of disabled students. The poetic texts bear witness to the intersections of disability, impairment, chronic illness, neurodiversity and doctoral study, and the lives of students who navigate these intersections. These poems voice and seek to be lightning-rods for social change.

Factors associated with mentoring and supervising US doctoral students with LD and/or ADHD

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore advisor–advisee relationships from the perspective of doctoral students with learning disabilities (LD) and/or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While some research exists on the importance of doctoral advisor/advisee relationships generally, few studies have focused on advisor support for doctoral students with LD and/or ADHD. Design/methodology/approach In total, 20 doctoral students from various US institutions with an average age of 28 years old participated in this study. In all, 2 participants had a dual diagnosis of LD and ADHD, 3 were diagnosed solely with LD and 15 solely with ADHD; 15 of the participants with ADHD indicated that they take medication. Each graduate student participated in an hour-long semi-structured Zoom interview inquiring about their disability and their relationship with their advisor. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed inductively. Findings The relationship between the participant and their advisor was the key theory. In total, 6 participants disclosed their disability status to their advisor with positive results, 2 had negative outcomes and 12 did not disclose for various reasons. The overarching theme of the study is that advisors are supportive of doctoral students with LD and/or ADHD whether or not they know about the student’s disability. Support was seen in offering flexible and strict deadlines, advocating on the student’s behalf and/or forming personal relationships with students. Research limitations/implications One of the biggest challenges of this study was recruiting participants. Graduate students with LD and ADHD are justifiably afraid of facing discrimination; therefore, it was difficult to identify participants despite having IRB approval and placing a very high value on confidentiality. The sample was consequently limited in size as well as in terms of race and gender diversity and was not representative of students with LD and/or ADHD in higher education. Qualitative research is typically not generalizable and the same was true for this study. This study gives a broader glimpse into the experiences of doctoral students with ADHD than those with LD. Additionally, when one of the researchers began each interview, she revealed that she also has a learning disability. While this may have helped participants feel more comfortable, it also could have influenced their responses. Practical implications This study undertakes a more detailed investigation than previous research on the experiences of individuals with LD and/or ADHD in doctoral programs in the US. The findings provide current data on perceptions of advisor–advisee relationships in the students’ own voices. Social implications Given the emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in US higher education, students with LD and/or ADHD need to be actively engaged in these conversations. With increasing numbers of students with LD and ADHD entering higher education and pursuing graduate degrees, faculty must be prepared to support all their students. By assessing strategies for positive mentor–mentee relationships among doctoral students with LD and/or ADHD, institutions can continue to foster increased diversity, creating doctoral programs and developing future faculty who more accurately represent the world in which we live. Originality/value The population studied doctoral students with LD and/or ADHD in the USA adds to the literature. The findings in terms of disclosure as it relates to advisors also adds to the literature. Doctoral students in the USA are dropping out at high rates making this an area that needs exploration.

Cross-cultural experiences: Voices of the Chinese doctoral students at a Spanish university

The aim of the study was to investigate the experiences of Chinese doctoral students at a Spanish university, aiming to enhance understanding of transcultural experiences. Challenges perceived during their cultural transition throughout their doctoral studies were explored, along with the strategies they employed to overcome these obstacles. Following a qualitative approach, eight participants were interviewed in depth on critical incidents experienced in academic and sociocultural settings. Effective communication emerged as the main challenge. Most critical incidents in the relationship with supervisors were associated with mismatched expectations and misunderstandings regarding learning objectives and activities. Limitations in writing in English and unfamiliarity with the sociocultural environment of the host university were perceived as hindering the achievement of academic goals and the adaptation to the local culture. Interaction with other doctoral students, self-determination, critical reflexivity, and autonomy were coping strategies that facilitated cross-cultural adaptation. The results confirm the legitimate socio-educational needs of Chinese students and their broad cultural and pedagogical agency. Results are useful for institutional support programs and to help doctoral students and supervisors establish adaptive cross-cultural relationships. Moreover, the study shows the resourcefulness of Chinese students in dealing with the challenges of cross-cultural transition and emphasizes the role that higher education institutions must play in serving international students.

Gaining by losing: The daily living experience of international female doctoral students in Aotearoa New Zealand

ABSTRACT This Straussian grounded theory study explored how female doctoral students from South East Asia managed their daily occupations while studying in Aotearoa New Zealand. Twenty-three participants who were living or had lived in Auckland, one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s metropolitan cities, completed semi-structured, in-depth interviews on their experiences of occupation in that context. Data were also collected via participant observations. The analysis of data through open, axial, and selective coding yielded a substantive theory: Gaining by Losing , which entailed a three-stage process of Choosing to be International Students, Meeting Challenges, and Returning Transformed. Each stage was characterised as being in dynamic tension of initially exploring opportunities/making sacrifices, then encountering difficulties/making adjustments to daily occupations while studying, and ultimately living with their choice/experiencing changes. The findings revealed that temporarily moving to a city with a high cost of living elicited changes in the way they performed daily occupations, such as studying, cooking, shopping, caring for children, and so forth.

Exploring the experiences of Muslim doctoral students in UK higher education: challenges, implications, and pathways to inclusivity

ABSTRACT This study provides a much needed insight into Muslim doctoral students’ perceptions of UK higher education and their experiences through their doctoral study. The research is based on interviews with fourteen Muslim doctoral students from a range of academic disciplines and provides a qualitative snapshot of the challenges faced by Muslim doctoral candidates. These challenges encompass a complex interplay of personal, economic, and social factors, including Islamophobia, overt and covert racism, and marginalisation. This, alongside a number of themes including the representation of the racialised Muslim as a doctoral student, feelings of disillusionment and fatigue, and the presence of gatekeeping practices within higher education. From this study, it has been concluded that there is an urgent need for a critical examination of the existing systems and spaces in which doctoral education operates. An essential aspect of this is recognising and understanding how anti-Muslim sentiments within the Academy can profoundly impact the experiences of doctoral education and beyond. The study advocates for enhanced Muslim visibility, better representation, and improved mentoring support within doctoral education. Additionally, the paper calls for stronger measures and punishments against higher education institutions that fail to address prejudices and neglect to provide inclusive spaces for their students.

‘I Just Filled Out a Form’ Experiences of Doctoral Students with Disabilities, Long-Term Health Conditions and/or Additional Study Needs

‘I Just Filled Out a Form’ Experiences of Doctoral Students with Disabilities, Long-Term Health Conditions and/or Additional Study Needs

Mindfulness Practice and Expressions of Wellness: Experiences of Doctoral Counselor Education and Supervision Students

ABSTRACT Researchers advocate for wellness as part of counseling practices to minimize stress, improve quality of life, and promote well-being. Furthermore, mindfulness may play a critical role in the cultivation of wellness, particularly among counselor education and supervision (CES) students. This study aimed to capture the lived experiences of wellness practices among CES doctoral students who received formal mindfulness training. The following four themes emerged: (a) self-discovery through awareness, (b) practices of presence, (c) wellness as a whole person, and (d) resistance and challenges. Participants identified awareness as central to the intersection of mindfulness and wellness. Implications include using mindfulness as a vehicle to identify and engage in wellness practices that best serve students’ needs and ways to skillfully integrate mindfulness into CES curricula. Examining the in-depth stories of wellness cultivation and the influence of mindfulness could lead to new insights and practical steps to enhance counselor training and whole-person development.

Support without Status: Inequities in Student–Advisor Relational Dynamics between First-Generation and Continuing-Generation Doctoral Students

One of the most important developmental relationships in the doctoral student experience is that of the faculty advisor, and yet we know little about whether and how advisor relationships vary between first-generation and continuing-generation doctoral students. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 83 late-stage doctoral students in biological sciences, we explore differences in student perceptions of their relationships with advisors. Narratives reveal a continuum of relationship types, including strained, evolving, supportive, and equal. In equal relationships, doctoral students feel more like collegial partners working alongside their advisors. While continuing-generation and first-generation students are similarly represented among strained and evolving relationships, first-generation students rarely attain equal relationship status. The presented findings offer implications for understanding how inequality shapes student–advisor relationships, the role of collegiality in doctoral education’s hidden curriculum, and the supports needed to foster equity for first-generation students in graduate programs.

Navigating educational trajectories and transitions: A qualitative systematic literature review on international STEM doctoral students

AbstractTo date, much of the research on international science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) doctoral students has focused either on international academic mobility or on students' acculturation and adjustment challenges and coping mechanisms in foreign academic contexts. In comparison, very little attention has been paid to Asian doctoral students and their personal experiences from a life course perspective.Based on a qualitative literature review, this article sheds light on the experiences of Asian doctoral students in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) disciplines within a life-course theoretical approach, paying particular attention to their agency, socialisation, and educational trajectories and transitions. The process of migration/mobility and transition between academic institutions requires a reassessment of cognitive patterns, behaviours, learning mechanisms, and the exercise of agency and response. The findings highlight how the complex dynamics between agency, socialisation, cultural norms and values, economic factors, academic performance, and institutional parameters influence the educational trajectories and transitions of Asian STEM doctoral students abroad. The result contributes to a synthesis of research findings that could inform doctoral education policy.

Exploring the experience of entry-level occupational therapy doctoral students on the use of Anatomage Table to learn anatomy - A survey

Exploring the experience of entry-level occupational therapy doctoral students on the use of Anatomage Table to learn anatomy - A survey

Balanced-integration: A dimension of supervision to support students navigating parenthood in pursuit of a PhD

This article explores the experiences of doctoral students juggling parental and professional roles. It proposes a balanced-integration approach in the reflective supervisor framework to tailor support. The research focuses on identifying challenges and evaluating the approach’s effectiveness, suggesting supervisors should serve as advocates for well-being and motivation. With the South African government’s National Development Plan aiming for a higher education sector that can produce more than 100 doctoral graduates per one million of the population by 2030, it is imperative to understand PhD student’s simultaneous identities as parents and professionals who must balance the demands of their studies, families and careers. The study advances a balanced-integration approach for supervising this demographic, with supervisors serving as advocates for the holistic well-being of these students, architects of personalised academic pathways, and catalysts for motivation inspired by family commitments. This approach adds a fifth dimension to Pearson and Kayrooz’s four factors of facilitative supervisory practice. The methodology is a descriptive quantitative study research design and a cross-sectional approach based on online surveys completed by 47 respondents from 13 South African higher education institutions and eight from abroad (n = 55).

Navigating Cultural and Academic Tides: A Systematic Literature Review On The Supervision Experiences Of International Chinese Doctoral Students In Malaysian Universities

This article embarks on a comprehensive literature review to explore the unique experiences of international Chinese doctoral students under the supervision of faculties in Malaysian universities. The study aims to identify the challenges, coping strategies, and academic dynamics encountered by these students, considering the cultural, linguistic, and educational backgrounds that influence their doctoral journey. It also seeks to understand the role of supervisors in facilitating a supportive and effective learning environment for these international students. The review synthesizes findings from existing academic papers, doctoral theses, and institutional reports, providing a multi-dimensional analysis of the supervisory relationship, adaptation processes, and academic achievements. This article contributes to the broader discourse on international education, cross-cultural supervision, and the specific needs of Chinese doctoral students abroad, offering valuable insights for academic institutions, educators, and policymakers aiming to enhance the doctoral experience for international students.

Collaboration, Socialization, and Support: Accountability Partners in an Online Doctoral Learning Environment

Non-traditional doctoral students encounter numerous challenges seeking a doctoral degree in an online learning environment. Non-traditional online doctoral students tend to be working adults who are integrating their online doctoral studies with the existing challenges of work and family. Effective online accountability partners must work within a framework of virtual mentoring competencies for online doctoral students to successfully collaborate, communicate, and learn together. The qualitative exploratory study explored the experiences of successful online doctoral students at working with accountability partners during their doctoral journey. The research question guiding the study was: How can accountability partner relationships be effective for online doctoral students when almost no face-to-face and in-person interaction takes place? The three themes emerging from the study addressed the online doctoral student's need for (1) collaboration, (2) socialization, and (3) support from their accountability partners. Study participants emphasized the many characteristics of a successful accountability partner relationship, including bidirectional support, feedback, communication, encouragement, cooperation, and collaboration. The study findings aligned with existing literature and illustrated the many challenges faced by online doctoral students that their more traditional student counterparts studying in a more traditional brick-and mortar university environment do not encounter. Numerous practical implications and recommendations resulted from this study. The researchers created the Collaboration, Socialization, and Support (CSS) framework using the thematic analysis of the coded interview results. The CSS framework is a practical model for creating and maintaining successful accountability partner relationship between online doctoral students.

Correction: Experiences of doctoral students enrolled in a research fellowship program to support doctoral training in Africa (2014 to 2018): The Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa odyssey

Correction: Experiences of doctoral students enrolled in a research fellowship program to support doctoral training in Africa (2014 to 2018): The Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa odyssey

The Experience of Multilingual Doctoral Students Related to Academic Success: A Descriptive Qualitative Study

When multilingual students face the challenge of writing a doctoral capstone or dissertation, delays in academic progress may occur. The aim of this study was to identify writing challenges multilingual doctoral students face and provide recommendations regarding learner-centered resources to support timely academic success, as literature regarding multilingual students and language diversity in the doctoral environment is limited.<em> </em>A qualitative descriptive design was used for this study, and six multilingual DNP and PhD alumni participated. Data were collected using semi-structured audio interviews and analyzed using iterative content analysis.<em> </em>The findings support the need for community and culture to support language identity and doctoral writing development. Findings also support that early diagnostics of writing issues and opportunities for editorial feedback help support multilingual doctoral students.<em> </em>Findings also suggest a need for faculty and academic team development regarding the impacts of language diversity and culture on academic writing. Ultimately the goal is to help all graduate students preserve and share their identity in their writing.

Enhancing the Quality of Research Synopsis of International Students Through Peer Feedback: A Case Study

The role of peer feedback in academic writing has garnered increasing attention from educators and research supervisors in recent years. Nevertheless, limited information exists about the perceptions and experiences of international doctoral students concerning the learning outcomes derived from giving and receiving feedback on research synopsis writing. This case study employs a variety of data sources, including research synopsis drafts, written peer evaluations, and semistructured interviews, to explore how 11 junior and seven senior doctoral candidates at Chinese universities benefit from receiving and providing feedback on their peers’ research synopses, respectively. Through the analysis of the interview data, four emergent themes related to student learning were generated through the exchange of peer feedback: (1) enhancing research synopsis writing awareness, (2) progressing in synopsis writing drafts, (3) improving research skills with peer feedback, and (4) fostering reflective and critical learning. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the potential educational opportunities that arise from exchanging peer evaluations in scholarly work.

Doctoral Student Experience: The Supervisors’ Perspective

This research considers the perceptions of doctoral supervisors relating to their experience of supervising students within a single case study university in the United Kingdom (UK). A survey of supervisors was undertaken that elicited quantitative and qualitative data, which were analysed and compared with the responses from postgraduate research students from the same institution, obtained through the annual national postgraduate research experience survey. This new understanding was important to elicit as it provided us with valuable insights into various aspects of the doctoral students’ experience from a supervisory viewpoint, highlighting both strengths and areas that require improvement. By addressing the identified areas of concern, and building upon the areas of strength, the university will be able to enhance the doctoral supervision process, and so create a more positive and supportive postgraduate research environment in the future. One of the most interesting aspects to emerge from this research is the gap in perception between the supervisors’ own views and those of their doctoral students, for example regarding communication. To greater understand the identified phenomena, it is recommended that this research should continue as a longitudinal study with the survey being repeated on a biennial basis.

Difficulties Encountered by Social Studies Graduate Students in the Thesis Preparation Process

It is essential to identify the challenges encountered by graduate students who play a significant role in the continuity of higher education during the thesis preparation phase. If students do not cope with the difficulties encountered at this stage, their education may have to end. This study aimed to determine the problems and obstacles encountered by graduate students in the field of social studies education during their thesis work. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 17 students pursuing a graduate degree in social studies education. The data of the study, which is a qualitative research, were analyzed with descriptive analysis and the identified difficulties were thematized. Additionally, the participants were asked to assess the level of difficulty associated with these challenges. Based on the findings, students expressed that they encountered challenges, such as determining the topic of study, selecting appropriate methods and techniques, establishing effective collaboration with their supervisors, encountering conventional obstacles, accessing necessary resources for their theses, gathering information, following university-related procedures, and getting stuck in formal processes in the field study. Given these obstacles, it is imperative for academic institutions and relevant organizations to take preventive measures. It is also crucial to conduct research to offer solutions to these difficulties. Just as highlighting the issues encountered by graduate students sheds light on their difficulties, a similar investigation of the experiences of doctoral students during the thesis preparation process can provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges within graduate education.

Doctoral Student Experiences in Indonesian Postgraduate Programs: A Phenomenological Investigation of Challenges

This research answers academic anxiety that departs from a study of the complexity of the problems faced by doctoral students in Indonesia. The existing phenomenon is that doctoral students in Indonesia who are scattered in various public and private universities with various fields of knowledge still face many technical and non-technical problems caused by problems that are both academic and non-academic in nature. This research uses a qualitative descriptive approach with the phenomenological study method developed by Edmund Husserl. Data collection techniques use literature and field studies through interviews, documentation and observation. The primary data source is postgraduate students, and the secondary data source is the Postgraduate Director, Head of Study Program and administrative staff. Data analysis in this qualitative research consists of three streams of activities that occur simultaneously, namely data reduction, data presentation, drawing conclusions or verification. Data checking in this research is based on four criteria, namely, degree of trustworthiness, transferability, dependability, and certainty. The findings from this study include the theoretical level regarding the conceptualization of the Portrait of Doctoral Programs in Indonesia as an Educational Phenomenon and dissertation as Research Identity of Doctoral Programs (Standards and Characteristics). This research also found academic and non-academic problems for doctoral students in Indonesia. The implications of the results of this research are to provide recommendations for ideas for the academic community for making decisions and academic policies as well as formulating a quality education system and improving the quality assurance of postgraduate doctoral education in Indonesia.