The mental labyrinth of postgraduate research: a qualitative study of postgraduate mental health and wellbeing and the impact of the supervisory relationship

White, N. , Milicev, J. , Bradford, D. R.R. , Rodger, A. and Gardani, M. (2023) The mental labyrinth of postgraduate research: a qualitative study of postgraduate mental health and wellbeing and the impact of the supervisory relationship. Higher Education, (doi: 10.1007/s10734-023-01061-5) (Early Online Publication)

Abstract

Postgraduate research students (PGRs) experience disproportionately high levels of psychological distress. Many factors contribute to this poor mental wellbeing and relate to each other in complex and dynamic ways. However, the relationship between PGRs and their supervisor(s) is known to strongly affect the wellbeing of the former. This study explores the mental health and wellbeing of PGRs with a focus on the role of the student—supervisor relationship. Using combined qualitative data from a large survey of PGRs and focus groups and reflexive thematic analysis, we found that PGRs experience the overarching process of obtaining a research degree as a mental labyrinth. Three constituent themes were identified: (1) inequity in navigating the labyrinth, (2) the labyrinth as a place of uncertainty and isolation, and (3) supervisors as labyrinth guides, not mental care providers. The results suggest that significant inequities exist which contribute to poorer mental wellbeing in particular subgroups of PGRs, both in general and specifically in relation to the supervisory relationship. Experiences of loneliness and ambiguity around progress were also identified as being detrimental to mental health. Furthermore, although supervisors can be a vital source of support and have a positive influence on PGR mental health, students recognise supervisors cannot reasonably be expected to act as professional mental health care providers and institutions must do more to provide equitable access to mental health support services.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The research is from a project “The SUpervisory role in Postgraduate ExpeRience: a mental health perspective (SUPER)” which was partially funded by the Student Mental Health Research Network (SMaRteN; ES/S00324x/1), which is funded by the United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) and led by King’s College London. Partial funding for original data collection was provided by the University of Glasgow Research & Innovation Services. JM and DRRB were also supported by the UK Medical Research Council (funding code MC_ST_00022).
• Status: Early Online Publication
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Gardani, Dr Maria and Rodger, Ms Amy and White, Dr Naomi and Bradford, Mr Daniel and Milicev, Jelena
• Authors: White, N., Milicev, J., Bradford, D. R.R., Rodger, A., and Gardani, M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
• Journal Name: Higher Education
• Publisher: Springer
• ISSN: 0018-1560
• ISSN (Online): 1573-174X
• Published Online: 20 June 2023