Graduate Student Mental Health: Needs Assessment and Utilization of Counseling Services

Abstract

This study examined the mental health needs, knowledge, and utilization of counseling services among graduate students at a large university in the western United States. Almost half of graduate student respondents reported having had an emotional or stress-related problem over the past year, and over half reported knowing a colleague who had had an emotional or stress-related problem over the past year. Self-reported mental health needs were significantly and negatively related to confidence about one s financial status, higher functional relationship with one s advisor, regular contact with friends, and being married. Utilization of counseling services was positively associated with an index of depression symptoms, the number of semesters in school, and identifying as female. those students who had experienced a significant mental health event in the past year and had higher functional relationships with their advisors were significantly more likely to utilize counseling services. Findings suggest a need for increased attention to graduate student mental health needs, especially the role of financial confidence in student well-being and the relationship of graduate students with their advisors.

Challenges to the doctoral journey: a case of female doctoral students from Ethiopia

“…In doctoral programmes, higher level of stress was reported by women than men (Oswalt & Riddock, 2007;Toews et al, 1997). One reason cited for more levels of stress among women was that these female graduate students have added the role of student to an already existing set of care taking and other life roles (Hyun, Quinn, Madon & Lusting, 2006;Stratton, Mielke, Kirshenbaum, Goodrich & McRae, 2006). Similarly, Smith, Maroney, Nelson, Lable and Abel (2006) stated that graduate students have many concerns such as finances, children, aging parents, community responsibilities, and partner relationships.…”

“…These are just some examples of the many ways today's graduate students are impacted by economical and societal discourses. These manifold and overlapping responsibilities can impact female students' emotional well-being and the likelihood of completing their program of study (Hyun et al, 2006). Due to the various roles women have to assume in their daily life, balancing personal and professional development becomes a serious challenge, which in turn leaves them to experience inter-role conflict between their personal and academic roles (Johnson, Batia & Haun, 2008;Offstein, Larson, McNeill & Mjoni, 2004;Raddon, 2002).…”

Who Needs More Sleep? Comparing Undergraduate and Graduate Students' Sleep Habits in a National U.S. Sample

“…In fact, some have found a higher correlation between academic problems and sleep than alcohol use, stress, depression, colds or flu (Prichard, Cunningham & Broek, 2013). Likewise, it is well documented that stress and other mental health issues pose challenges for and are increasing among college students (Eisenberg, Gollust, Golberstein, & Hefner, 2007;Gallagher, 2011;Hyun, Quinn, Madon, & Lustig, 2006). Such mental health concerns may impede sleep patterns; for example, Wyatt and Oswalt (2013) found that among a nationally representative sample of college students, approximately 25% of undergraduate students and 20% of graduate students identified sleep difficulties as a major concern within the last 12 months.…”

Research as Design: Developing Creative Confidence in Doctoral Students Through Design Thinking

“…On a lighter note, the sheer number of blogs and comic strips discussing or satirizing the PhD experience (such as http://xkcd.com/ , http://phdcomics.com/ , and http://whatshouldwecallgradschool.tumblr.com/ ) highlight the confusion, loneliness, and emotional toil encountered by emerging researchers. Meanwhile, there is relatively sparse research on the emotional well-being of graduate students (Hyun, Quinn, Madon, & Lustig, 2006).…”