Work

Fears Unmasked: International Doctoral Student Mothers’ Academic Stressors and Coping Strategies During the Pandemic

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: As part of a more extensive qualitative study that explored the experiences of International Doctoral Student Mothers (IDSMs) during the global COVID-19 pandemic, this paper presents a cross-section of the data related to their academic stressors and coping strategies. We employed Goode’s Theory of Role Strain (1960) and a deductive and interpretive approach, utilizing NVivo, to analyze data collected through semi-structured interviews. The academic experiences of IDSMs were affected by travel restrictions. They experienced fear of the unknown, lack of familiarity with the U.S. education system, time zone fatigue, information overload, grief due to the death of loved ones, and a desire to protect unborn children. In addition to compartmentalizing, delegating, and relinquishing roles, they employed other strategies, such as engaging in physical activity and practicing spiritual disciplines, to cope. This study confirms that Higher Education Institutions (HEI) need to foster a more fair and supportive academic community by developing inclusive policies and supportive campus environments where instructional procedures and practices support IDSMs’ success.

Source: SAGE Open

DOI: 10.1177/21582440251390768

Authors: Ragia H. Hassan, Crystal Machado

Institution: Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Language: English

Topic: Work-Family Balance Challenges

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,600