Postgraduate students’ wellbeing, symptoms of depression, anxiety. stress and COVID-19 related stress.

Literature review:

Doctoral and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) students experience various challenges. This literature review explored stressors and coping in doctoral students. Four databases were searched, nine papers met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The review included qualitative studies and thematic synthesis was conducted to analyse findings. Four themes were identified under stressors: 1) Social disconnect 2) Institutional support and Academic Factors, 3) Individual factors and View of Self, and 4) Challenges and Uncertainty. Themes identified under coping included: 1) Seeking and feeling supported, 2) University resources, 3) Personal strategies, 4) Organisational factors. Findings suggest the importance of social support for doctoral/PhD students and opportunities for this whilst studying, as well as support in developing organisational and practical skills.

Empirical study:

This study aimed to explore the wellbeing, symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress including COVID-related stress in a sample of postgraduate students (n=290), to explore possible relationships of these variables with demographic factors and assess any differences in scores between home-based and international students, and between those who had and had not accessed services. A cross-sectional survey was used. Home students scored significantly higher stress and covid-related stress levels than international students with small effect sizes, so may not be of great clinical relevance. Those who reported accessing services scored significantly higher in depression, anxiety and stress scores and lower wellbeing when compared to those who reported they did not access services ,with medium to large effect sizes. Older age and being a Master’s student were associated with higher wellbeing, lower stress and COVID-19 related stress. Conclusions should be interpreted cautiously due to limitations. Clinical implications include the possible need for support for both home and international students. Further research is required on understanding reasons for not accessing support.