Work

The Well-Being of Doctoral Students in Education: An Ecological Systems Perspective

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: This study aims to explore the factors that influence the well-being situation of doctoral students in education from a qualitative perspective and draws on the ecological systems theory as an overarching framework. A total of 18 doctoral students in education from 3 universities in Hong Kong were interviewed. In line with the ecological systems theory, individual influential factors may embed and interact with all layers of systems (i.e., the microsystem, the mesosystem, the exosystem, the macrosystem, and the chronosystem) surrounding the doctoral students that hinder or boost their well-being, respectively. These six main areas of concern were identified from a thematic analysis of participants' responses. The study highlighted several salient influential factors of doctoral students' well-being, such as coping strategies, social relations, and their living and cultural environment. An interactive effect among specific factors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and social movements, was also identified. Findings provide theoretical insights and offer recommendations for improving doctoral students' well-being.

Source: Behavioral Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/bs14100929

Authors: Wendan Xu, Yingxiu Li, Ronnel B. King, Junjun Chen

Institutions: Education University of Hong Kong, Chinese University of Hong Kong

Language: English

Topic: Doctoral Education Challenges and Solutions

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Quality education, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,501