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Review
. 2018 Dec;13(1):1508171.
doi: 10.1080/17482631.2018.1508171.

Doctoral students' well-being: a literature review

Manuela Schmidt  1   2 , Erika Hansson  3
Affiliations
Review

Doctoral students' well-being: a literature review

Manuela Schmidt et al. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 2018 Dec.

Abstract

Doctoral student well-being is an important matter that shapes the well-being of academics throughout their careers. Given that well-being has been found to be closely related to employee productivity and efficiency, strategies associated with maintaining well-being during PhD studies might be crucial for higher education, its outcomes and-just as importantly-for a balanced life of PhD students. Method: Based on 17 studies, this literature review critically assesses the literature on doctoral student well-being. Results: Theoretical models, concepts of well-being, and methods applied are discussed, as are the results of the articles. The reviewed studies are then discussed based on a SWOT analysis addressing the strengths and weaknesses of the reviewed research as well as the identified opportunities and threats, which can be used as a basis for future research. Based on the review findings and the SWOT analysis, a multidimensional view of the well-being of doctoral students is proposed. Conclusions: The study proposes a more student-centred approach to meeting doctoral students' needs, and the enhancement of doctoral student well-being in order, as a long-term goal, to improve academics' well-being and productivity.Doctoral student well-being is an important matter that shapes the well-being of academics throughout their careers. Given that well-being has been found to be closely related to employee productivity and efficiency, strategies associated with maintaining well-being during PhD studies might be crucial for higher education, its outcomes and-just as importantly-for a balanced life of PhD students. Based on 17 studies, this literature review critically assesses the literature on doctoral student well-being. Theoretical models, concepts of well-being, and methods applied are discussed, as are the results of the articles. The reviewed studies are then discussed based on a SWOT analysis addressing the strengths and weaknesses of the reviewed research as well as the identified opportunities and threats, which can be used as a basis for future research. Based on the review findings and the SWOT analysis, a multidimensional view of the well-being of doctoral students is proposed. The study proposes a more student-centred approach to meeting doctoral students' needs, and the enhancement of doctoral student well-being in order, as a long-term goal, to improve academics' well-being and productivity.

Keywords: Doctoral student; PhD student; SWOT; review; well-being.

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References

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    1. Agevall L., Broberg P., & Umans T. (2016). The new generation of auditors meeting praxis: Dual learning’s role in audit students’ professional development. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 62, 1–18.
    1. Anttila H., Lindblom-Ylänne S., Lonka K., & Pyhältö K. (2015). The added value of a PhD in medicine-PhD Students’ perceptions of acquired competences. International Journal of Higher Education, 4(2), 172.
    1. Appel M. L., & Dahlgren L. G. (2003). Swedish doctoral students’ experiences on their journey towards a PhD: Obstacles and opportunities inside and outside the academic building. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 47(1), 89–110.
    1. Caesens G., Stinglhamber F., & Luypaert G. (2014). The impact of work engagement and workaholism on well-being: The role of work-related social support. Career Development International, 19(7), 813–835.

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