Unpacking the doctoral journey in India: Supervision, social support, and institutional factors influencing mental health and research engagement
The research explores the impact of supervisory styles, social support systems, and institutional factors on the mental well-being and research engagement of PhD students within the Indian higher education context. Using a Grounded Theory approach, we conducted qualitative, semi-structured interview...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Social Sciences and Humanities Open |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291125000099 |
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| author | Suhalia Parveen Juhi Yasmeen Mohd Ajmal Md. Tauseef Qamar Shahab Saquib Sohail Dag Øivind Madsen |
| author_facet | Suhalia Parveen Juhi Yasmeen Mohd Ajmal Md. Tauseef Qamar Shahab Saquib Sohail Dag Øivind Madsen |
| author_sort | Suhalia Parveen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The research explores the impact of supervisory styles, social support systems, and institutional factors on the mental well-being and research engagement of PhD students within the Indian higher education context. Using a Grounded Theory approach, we conducted qualitative, semi-structured interviews with 40 doctoral students from three faculties at a reputed public Indian university. Thematic analysis revealed nine key factors affecting students' mental health and research engagement: (a) inadequate mentorship, (b) prolonged evaluation processes, (c) exploitation as unpaid labor, (d) unprofessional supervisor behavior, (e) inefficient resource access, (f) reduced motivation, (g) limited peer collaboration, (h) financial instability, and (i) health impacts. Findings indicate that (a) supervisory support, (b) peer collaboration, and (c) financial security significantly reduce stress and enhance engagement, while insufficient support and competitive peer dynamics increase anxiety and disengagement. Gender-based differences were also observed, with female students often reporting distinct social support experiences. These findings highlight the need for improved supervisory practices, supportive institutional policies, and mental health resources to promote inclusive and supportive academic environments for doctoral students. This study offers practical implications for enhancing well-being and productivity in Indian higher education. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-28b852dda74f45ac8b693f620b928786 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2590-2911 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Social Sciences and Humanities Open |
| spelling | doaj-art-28b852dda74f45ac8b693f620b9287862025-01-12T05:25:44ZengElsevierSocial Sciences and Humanities Open2590-29112025-01-0111101282Unpacking the doctoral journey in India: Supervision, social support, and institutional factors influencing mental health and research engagementSuhalia Parveen0Juhi Yasmeen1Mohd Ajmal2Md. Tauseef Qamar3Shahab Saquib Sohail4Dag Øivind Madsen5Department of Commerce, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, IndiaSchool of Advanced Sciences and Languages, VIT Bhopal University, Bhopal, IndiaDepartment of Commerce, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, IndiaSchool of Advanced Sciences and Languages, VIT Bhopal University, Bhopal, IndiaSchool of Computing Science and Engineering, VIT Bhopal University, Kothrikalan, Sehore, MP 466114, IndiaUSN School of Business, University of South-Eastern Norway, Hønefoss, Norway; Corresponding author.The research explores the impact of supervisory styles, social support systems, and institutional factors on the mental well-being and research engagement of PhD students within the Indian higher education context. Using a Grounded Theory approach, we conducted qualitative, semi-structured interviews with 40 doctoral students from three faculties at a reputed public Indian university. Thematic analysis revealed nine key factors affecting students' mental health and research engagement: (a) inadequate mentorship, (b) prolonged evaluation processes, (c) exploitation as unpaid labor, (d) unprofessional supervisor behavior, (e) inefficient resource access, (f) reduced motivation, (g) limited peer collaboration, (h) financial instability, and (i) health impacts. Findings indicate that (a) supervisory support, (b) peer collaboration, and (c) financial security significantly reduce stress and enhance engagement, while insufficient support and competitive peer dynamics increase anxiety and disengagement. Gender-based differences were also observed, with female students often reporting distinct social support experiences. These findings highlight the need for improved supervisory practices, supportive institutional policies, and mental health resources to promote inclusive and supportive academic environments for doctoral students. This study offers practical implications for enhancing well-being and productivity in Indian higher education.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291125000099Indian higher educationDoctoral studentStressMental healthSupervisory styleQualitative analysis |
| spellingShingle | Suhalia Parveen Juhi Yasmeen Mohd Ajmal Md. Tauseef Qamar Shahab Saquib Sohail Dag Øivind Madsen Unpacking the doctoral journey in India: Supervision, social support, and institutional factors influencing mental health and research engagement Social Sciences and Humanities Open Indian higher education Doctoral student Stress Mental health Supervisory style Qualitative analysis |
| title | Unpacking the doctoral journey in India: Supervision, social support, and institutional factors influencing mental health and research engagement |
| title_full | Unpacking the doctoral journey in India: Supervision, social support, and institutional factors influencing mental health and research engagement |
| title_fullStr | Unpacking the doctoral journey in India: Supervision, social support, and institutional factors influencing mental health and research engagement |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unpacking the doctoral journey in India: Supervision, social support, and institutional factors influencing mental health and research engagement |
| title_short | Unpacking the doctoral journey in India: Supervision, social support, and institutional factors influencing mental health and research engagement |
| title_sort | unpacking the doctoral journey in india supervision social support and institutional factors influencing mental health and research engagement |
| topic | Indian higher education Doctoral student Stress Mental health Supervisory style Qualitative analysis |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291125000099 |
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