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The Paradoxes of U.S. Graduate Assistantships in Education: Navigating Competing Tensions and the Impact of Stress on Graduate Wellbeing

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Title: The Paradoxes of U.S. Graduate Assistantships in Education: Navigating Competing Tensions and the Impact of Stress on Graduate Wellbeing
Language: English
Authors: Roman Christiaens, Heather Haeger, Sy Simms, Allison BrckaLorenz
Source: Studies in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education. 2025 16(1):40-55.
Availability: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 16
Publication Date: 2025
Sponsoring Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Contract Number: 2222018
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Graduate Students, Teaching Assistants, Stress Variables, Well Being, Student Research, Student Employment, Work Environment, Barriers, Research Universities, Student Experience, Self Concept, Time Management, Institutional Characteristics, Financial Support, Context Effect
Assessment and Survey Identifiers: Faculty Survey of Student Engagement
DOI: 10.1108/SGPE-06-2023-0051
ISSN: 2398-4686
Abstract: Purpose: Graduate students employed in graduate teaching and research assistantship positions have a unique experience of the institution because of their status as student-employees. Graduate assistants (GAs) face specific challenges around their well-being as they navigate various relationships and environments throughout their educational trajectory. The purpose of this study is to examine the specific workplace challenges GAs experience and their overall effect on GA wellbeing. Design/methodology/approach: This research study examines graduate assistant responses from 12 US research universities to the Faculty Survey of student Engagement for Graduate student Instructors survey. This study's analysis examined the open-ended responses (n = 493) at the end of the survey that asked participants for additional comments regarding their departmental and/or institutional experiences. Three waves of coding were implemented by the authors to identify common themes and areas of concern on GA working conditions. Findings: The findings led to the creation of a concept map on GA working conditions that include three main components: contextual factors, stress and well-being and competing tensions. Within each component are subthemes related to social identity, funding, campus climate, time and priority concerns and assistantship structure and support. The map demonstrates the enmeshed connection across areas. Practical implications: Findings suggest institutional investments through programming, system-level changes and interpersonal support to improve GA working conditions and their well-being. Originality/value: Research on GA experiences with working conditions and well-being in a US context is limited. This study is valuable because many graduate students who occupy graduate assistantships are asking for increased pay and benefits at their institution. Graduate assistantship labor organizing is occurring alongside institutions' focus on improving health outcomes for graduate students.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1455782
Database: ERIC
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  Data: The Paradoxes of U.S. Graduate Assistantships in Education: Navigating Competing Tensions and the Impact of Stress on Graduate Wellbeing
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Roman+Christiaens%22">Roman Christiaens</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Heather+Haeger%22">Heather Haeger</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sy+Simms%22">Sy Simms</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Allison+BrckaLorenz%22">Allison BrckaLorenz</searchLink>
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  Data: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
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  Data: 16
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  Data: National Science Foundation (NSF)
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  Data: 10.1108/SGPE-06-2023-0051
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  Data: 2398-4686
– Name: Abstract
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  Data: Purpose: Graduate students employed in graduate teaching and research assistantship positions have a unique experience of the institution because of their status as student-employees. Graduate assistants (GAs) face specific challenges around their well-being as they navigate various relationships and environments throughout their educational trajectory. The purpose of this study is to examine the specific workplace challenges GAs experience and their overall effect on GA wellbeing. Design/methodology/approach: This research study examines graduate assistant responses from 12 US research universities to the Faculty Survey of student Engagement for Graduate student Instructors survey. This study's analysis examined the open-ended responses (n = 493) at the end of the survey that asked participants for additional comments regarding their departmental and/or institutional experiences. Three waves of coding were implemented by the authors to identify common themes and areas of concern on GA working conditions. Findings: The findings led to the creation of a concept map on GA working conditions that include three main components: contextual factors, stress and well-being and competing tensions. Within each component are subthemes related to social identity, funding, campus climate, time and priority concerns and assistantship structure and support. The map demonstrates the enmeshed connection across areas. Practical implications: Findings suggest institutional investments through programming, system-level changes and interpersonal support to improve GA working conditions and their well-being. Originality/value: Research on GA experiences with working conditions and well-being in a US context is limited. This study is valuable because many graduate students who occupy graduate assistantships are asking for increased pay and benefits at their institution. Graduate assistantship labor organizing is occurring alongside institutions' focus on improving health outcomes for graduate students.
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        Value: 10.1108/SGPE-06-2023-0051
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      – Text: English
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    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Graduate Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teaching Assistants
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Stress Variables
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