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. 2025 Apr 10;13(1):362.
doi: 10.1186/s40359-025-02668-2.

Assessing the well-being of PhD scholars: a scoping review

Naheed Mahsood  1 , Usman Mahboob  2 , Muhammad Asim  3 , Neelofar Shaheen  4
Affiliations

Assessing the well-being of PhD scholars: a scoping review

Naheed Mahsood et al. BMC Psychol. .

Abstract

Background: Gaining insight into the well-being of PhD scholars is essential for cultivating a nurturing academic environment that boosts their efficiency and adds to the overall excellence of higher education. Our scoping review aimed to comprehensively map and analyse the current body of literature on the well-being of PhD scholars, identify important themes and gaps, and offer valuable insights for future studies and interventions to improve the overall well-being of PhD scholars.

Methods: We conducted a scoping review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis-Scoping Review extension as per the Joanna Briggs Institute Protocol guidelines. A systematic search was performed across search engines and databases, including Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL Ultimate, and Web of Science. The data were retrieved from inception to May 2024. All identified records were gathered and imported into the Covidence Software for screening, removing duplication, and final selection by the review team. The socio-ecological framework was used as a theoretical framework to analyse the data thematically.

Results: The search across five databases resulted in the identification of 3,391 records, supplemented by an additional 25 records from Google Scholar as grey literature. Following the application of the eligibility criteria and thorough deliberation by the review team, 63 records were included in the review. Inductive thematic analysis systematically identified a conceptual framework encompassing the description of PhD scholars' well-being. The results revealed a comprehensive understanding of the concept of the well-being of PhD scholars, identifying themes at the individual, interpersonal, institutional, community, and policy levels.

Conclusion: The scoping review highlighted the complex, diverse, and multifaceted nature of PhD scholars' well-being, emphasising the need for comprehensive and tailored interventions at the individual, interpersonal, institutional, community, and policy levels to enhance their overall well-being.

Keywords: Academic Environment; Mental Health; PhD Scholars; Scoping Review; Socio-ecological Framework; Well-being.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: This study was conducted after approval of the synopsis from the Advanced Studies and Research Board (ASRB), Khyber Medical University (KMU) Peshawar (No. DIR/KMU-AS&RB/AT/001996). The review did not involve human participants or primary data collection; therefore, consent to participate was not required. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The PRISMA flow diagram
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Conceptual Framework of Well-Being of PhD Scholars
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Percentage and Distribution of Themes and Subthemes in the Included Studies
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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