Doctoral students and COVID-19: exploring challenges, academic progress, and well-being
Anna Sverdlik, Nathan C. Hall, Robert J. Vallerand
Abstract
Doctoral students often struggle with depression, anxiety, loneliness, and physical concerns, that are directly associated with their programs. Supporting doctoral students’ well-being becomes critical during a global pandemic, when students become further isolated, uncertain, and struggle academically. The present study examined students’ top challenges and coping strategies during the COVID-19 crisis, as well as gender differences in academic progress and well-being. Students’ top challenges included: inability to see family/friends, being home-bound, blurring of work/family time, isolation, and inability to access campus. Students’ top coping strategies included: seeking social support, working, exercising, watching television, and creating a comfortable routine. The COVID-19 outbreak has disrupted female students’ research progress more than males’, and female doctoral students reported feeling anxious, upset, and irritable when engaging in academic work, while males felt enthusiastic. Finally, general anxiety and stress was higher in females than males during the COVID-19 outbreak. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.