PhD Students' Mental Health and Well-Being: A Qualitative Study from Doctorates' Perspective from Five Spanish Universities
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| Title: | PhD Students' Mental Health and Well-Being: A Qualitative Study from Doctorates' Perspective from Five Spanish Universities |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Amaya Ayala-Garcia, Marta Donat, Ariadna Cerdán-Torregrosa, Jose María Ramada, Guillermo García-González, Eva González-Menéndez, Elena Ronda-Pérez |
| Source: | International Journal of Educational Psychology. 2026 15(1):61-79. |
| Availability: | Hipatia Press. Claramunt, 4, Local 2 08030, Barcelona, Spain. Tel: +34-93-302-1226: e-mail: info@hipatiapress.com; Web site: https://hipatiapress.com/hpjournals/index.php/ijep/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 21 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Doctoral Students, Mental Health, Well Being, Student Attitudes, Student Characteristics, Foreign Countries, Stress Variables, Physical Health, Supervision, Student Needs, Work Environment, Student Employment, Leisure Time |
| Geographic Terms: | Spain |
| ISSN: | 2014-3591 |
| Abstract: | The aim of this study was to explore doctoral students' perceptions of how completing a doctoral thesis impacts their mental health and well-being, and the associated influencing factors. We conducted nine semi-structured interviews with PhD students from five Spanish universities in 2022 and analyzed them using qualitative content analysis. Participants reported experiencing mental health problems, which in some cases were perceived to lead to physical health problems. These problems were more frequent among PhD students without a predoctoral contract (i.e., without a funded research position). Support from supervisors and the research group, availability of free time and leisure time, future employment prospects, employment and working conditions and workload were factors that interviewees perceived as having an impact on mental health and well-being throughout the process of completing a PhD. Results highlight the need for institutional interventions to improve employment and working conditions for PhD students. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1506242 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | The aim of this study was to explore doctoral students' perceptions of how completing a doctoral thesis impacts their mental health and well-being, and the associated influencing factors. We conducted nine semi-structured interviews with PhD students from five Spanish universities in 2022 and analyzed them using qualitative content analysis. Participants reported experiencing mental health problems, which in some cases were perceived to lead to physical health problems. These problems were more frequent among PhD students without a predoctoral contract (i.e., without a funded research position). Support from supervisors and the research group, availability of free time and leisure time, future employment prospects, employment and working conditions and workload were factors that interviewees perceived as having an impact on mental health and well-being throughout the process of completing a PhD. Results highlight the need for institutional interventions to improve employment and working conditions for PhD students. |
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| ISSN: | 2014-3591 |
