Hanging in the balance: Conceptualising doctoral researcher mental health as a dynamic balance across key tensions characterising the PhD experience

Berry, Clio; Valeix, Sophie; Niven, Jeremy E.; Chapman, Laura; Roberts, P. A.; Hazell, Cassie M.

doi:10.1016/j.ijer.2020.101575

Cited by 18 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Previous studies have established the high prevalence of mental health difficulties amongst DRs (Hazell et al, 2021;Levecque et al, 2017), with specific aspects of the PhD, such as the supervisory relationship, isolation, and boundless working hours, implicated as risk factors (Berry et al, 2020). The findings of the present study evidence that this high prevalence of poor mental health extends to suicidality, and suggests that the PhD can trigger this experience.…”

Section: The Phd and Suicidalitysupporting

confidence: 62%

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Understanding suicidality and reasons for living amongst Doctoral Researchers: A thematic analysis of qualitative U‐DOC survey data

Hazell

Berry

Niven

et al. 2021

Couns and Psychother Res

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Evidence regarding the mental health of Doctoral Researchers (DRs) is very limited; that which exists suggests DRs are particularly vulnerable to experiencing mental health difficulties during their PhD.Despite the associated jeopardy, however, to our knowledge there are no data published nor in the grey literature, reporting on suicidality amongst DRs. Using an online survey, we invited UK DRs to complete the Suicide Behaviour Questionnaire -Revised and qualitatively describe their experience of suicidality and its association to their PhD studies. A total of 1,263 DRs provided these data, with 40% of these participants meeting Suicide Behaviour Questionnaire -Revised criteria for being at high risk of suicide. Within the qualitative data, we identified three higher-order themes: (1) lived experience of suicidality; (2) PhD: the good, the bad, the ugly; and (3) life outside the PhD. Our findings suggest that suicidality is a common, yet complex and nuanced, experience amongst doctoral researchers.Identifiable elements of the PhD and personal lives can increase or protect against suicidality. The risk and protective factors identified here require verification using quantitative methods, but still support the immediate need for universities to respond to the risk of suicidality amongst their DRs.

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Section: The Phd and Suicidalitysupporting

confidence: 62%

“…Novel interventions worth exploring include those that increase hopefulness, as UNDERSTANDING SUICIDALITY AMONGST DOCTORAL RESEARCHERS. hope protects against suicidality but may be reduced by the perceptibly harsh academic environment and asymmetric nature of the supervisory relationship (Berry et al, 2020).…”

Section: Implications For Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding suicidality and reasons for living amongst Doctoral Researchers: A thematic analysis of qualitative U‐DOC survey data

Hazell

Berry

Niven

et al. 2021

Couns and Psychother Res

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“…Our quantitative data would additionally suggest that encouraging PGRs' to identify and take absences as needed for health problems would reduce the severity of their presenteeism, thus improving productivity. Moreover, our findings suggest a need for institutional clarity regarding supervisors' roles in supporting student mental health and wellbeing (Morrish, 2019;Berry et al, 2020). Training for supervisors and other staff targeting mental health awareness and strategies for the 'emotional work' of supporting students (Hughes and Byrom, 2019) is recommended, as is increased funding for mental health support services that are sensitive to PGRs' needs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…There are clear practice-based recommendations arising from this work. A change in the institutional approach seems necessary to reduce the totalising nature of the PhD and to create a clear work-life distinction (Cornell, 2020); whilst balancing the PhD's core flexibility to allow completion alongside other life roles and as inspiration strikes (Berry et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mental health problems appear highly prevalent amongst postgraduate researchers (PGRs); exceeding estimates for undergraduate students and other educated and working populations (Guthrie et al , 2017; Levecque et al , 2017; Hazell et al , 2020). Excessive workloads, job and funding insecurity within an unsupportive, competitive and a surveillant atmosphere appear to contribute to PGR mental health problems (Guthrie et al , 2017; Levecque et al , 2017; Mackie and Bates, 2019; Morrish, 2019; Berry et al , 2020; Hazell et al , 2020). In turn, mental health problems may undermine engagement in core academic tasks and rituals like fieldwork and networking (Birnie and Grant, 2001; Tucker and Horton, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A mixed-methods investigation of mental health stigma, absenteeism and presenteeism among UK postgraduate researchers

Berry

Niven

Chapman

et al. 2021

SGPE

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Purpose Postgraduate researchers (PGRs) appear to be particularly vulnerable to mental health problems. Mental health-related stigma and discrimination may be endemic within universities, creating a threatening environment that undermines PGRs’ health and well-being. These environmental characteristics may increase PGRs’ absenteeism and presenteeism, attendance behaviours that have great personal and institutional consequences. The study of this issue, however, has been limited to date. Design/methodology/approach This was a mixed methods psychological study using cross-sectional data provided by 3,352 UK-based PGRs. Data were collected in a new national survey (U-DOC) led by a British University in 2018–2019. We used structural equation modelling techniques to test associations between workplace mental health-related stigma and discrimination, presenteeism, absenteeism and demographic characteristics. The authors analysed qualitative survey data with framework analysis to deductively and inductively explore associations between workplace culture, stigma and discrimination, and attendance behaviours. Findings The authors found that some PGRs report positive perceptions and experiences of the academic mental health-related workplace culture. However, experiences of mental health stigma and discrimination appear widespread. Both quantitative and qualitative results show that experiences of mental health-related stigma are associated with greater absenteeism and presenteeism. People with mental health problems appear especially vulnerable to experiencing stigma and its impacts. Practical implications Key implications include recommendations for universities to improve support for PGR mental health, and to encourage taking annual leave and necessary sickness absences, by providing a more inclusive environment with enhanced mental health service provision and training for faculty and administrative staff. Originality/value This study presents the first large-scale survey of PGR experiences of mental health-related stigma and discrimination, and their associations with absenteeism and presenteeism.

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Understanding how doctoral researchers perceive research supervision to impact their mental health and well‐being

Hazell,

Berry,

Haywood

et al. 2024

Couns and Psychother Res

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BackgroundA number of risk and protective factors have been identified in association with the mental health of doctoral researchers (DRs). One consistent factor noted in the limited available literature is the role of the supervisor. This literature is largely quantitative though, meaning less is known about how DRs experience supervision and its impact on their mental health.AimThe aim of this study was to explore how DRs experience research supervision and its impact on their mental health and wellbeing using qualitative methods at scale.Materials and MethodsWe analysed the free‐text responses of 1783 UK‐based DRs collected as part of the nationwide U‐DOC survey.ResultsUsing reflexive thematic analysis, we found two superordinate themes capturing how DRs perceive research supervision and its impact on their mental health: (1) supervision as a conduit and (2) supervision as a mirror.DiscussionBroadly, these themes encapsulate how supervisors can directly trigger, exacerbate or protect against mental health problems in DRs, as well as supervision providing an opportunity for DRs to learn more about themselves and their mental health.ConclusionOur findings support the need for compulsory supervisor training on positive supervisory practices as well as understanding and responding compassionately to DRs with mental health difficulties.

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Hanging in the balance: Conceptualising doctoral researcher mental health as a dynamic balance across key tensions characterising the PhD experience

Cited by 18 publications

References 23 publications

Understanding suicidality and reasons for living amongst Doctoral Researchers: A thematic analysis of qualitative U‐DOC survey data

Understanding suicidality and reasons for living amongst Doctoral Researchers: A thematic analysis of qualitative U‐DOC survey data

A mixed-methods investigation of mental health stigma, absenteeism and presenteeism among UK postgraduate researchers

Understanding how doctoral researchers perceive research supervision to impact their mental health and well‐being

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