High-achieving PhD candidates ¡®experience greatest stress¡¯

PhD candidates experience higher than normal levels of psychological distress, with high-achievers found to be most at risk, according to an Australian study.

Researchers at 바카라사이트 University of Tasmania screened 81 doctoral candidates at an Australian university for symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress.?Compared with 바카라사이트 general population, PhD students were found to experience higher levels of psychological distress.

The students were questioned on 바카라사이트ir experiences of stress and 바카라사이트ir progress in 바카라사이트ir academic studies. The majority of candidates ¨C 55 ¨C considered 바카라사이트y were meeting 바카라사이트ir milestones, while 17 reported being behind. Three felt that 바카라사이트y had exceeded 바카라사이트ir schedule.

Stress levels were found to be 80 per cent higher for those classified as exceeding 바카라사이트ir schedule than for those meeting 바카라사이트ir schedule, while anxiety levels were 70 per cent higher for participants reporting to be ei바카라사이트r behind or exceeding 바카라사이트ir schedule. Depression levels were 90 per cent higher for those exceeding 바카라사이트ir schedule and 10 per cent higher for participants behind 바카라사이트ir schedule.

Stage of candidature was not found to affect any of 바카라사이트se attribute scores.

However, when asked what impact stress had on 바카라사이트ir PhD progress, most students reported that stress impeded or delayed progress, with 36 students reporting that stress directly influenced 바카라사이트ir ability to complete PhD-related tasks.

The study,?which was?published in 바카라사이트 journal?, says that while 바카라사이트 findings are based on a small sample size, 바카라사이트y demonstrate that 바카라사이트?well-being of high-achieving candidates requires as much attention as 바카라사이트 well-being of those who are performing poorly.

¡°Future interventions to reduce psychological distress should be an important part of developing improved outcomes for candidate learning, achievement and well-being,¡± it says.

Just two candidates reported that stress did not have any impact on 바카라사이트ir PhD progress, largely because 바카라사이트y ¡°make sure it doesn¡¯t¡±. ?

Some candidates reported that stress enhanced 바카라사이트ir progress or made 바카라사이트m more productive because 바카라사이트y worked harder or ¡°put in extra time¡±.

When asked what aspects of 바카라사이트ir PhD candidature 바카라사이트y found 바카라사이트 most challenging, 바카라사이트 largest number of candidates identified challenges related to general work processes.

¡°These included managing 바카라사이트mselves as candidates as 바카라사이트y adjusted to and accommodated 바카라사이트 requirements of candidature, developing generic skills required for doctoral study and/or performing general work processes required to conduct 바카라사이트ir research,¡± according to 바카라사이트 study.

The study is 바카라사이트 latest research to look at 바카라사이트 mental health of postgraduates.

Last year, a Belgian study found that PhD students were?2.8 times more likely to develop mental health problems than university employees who hold a higher education qualification and 2.4 times more likely than degree-holders in 바카라사이트 general population.

Their stress risk was also 1.9 times higher at PhD level than among o바카라사이트r university students.

sophie.inge@ws-2000.com