Connecting the dots: Exploring the association between perceived discrimination and physical and psychological well-being among doctoral trainees and postdoctoral fellows in biomedical fields.
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Graduate trainees and postdoctoral fellows in biomedical sciences face significant challenges that affect their physical and mental health. Among these, perceived discrimination has emerged as a critical factor that undermines well-being and negatively impacts trainees' sense of belonging, career persistence, and retention. This study examined the association between perceived discrimination and trainees' physical, social, and psychological well-being, as well as their sense of belonging in lab and department settings. Latent profile analysis identified three profiles of trainees based on perceived discrimination: Low Perception of Discrimination (LPD), Mixed Perception of Discrimination (MPD; low in the lab, high in the department), and High Perception of Discrimination (HPD). Results showed that physical and social health were better in the LPD and MPD profiles than in the HPD profile. However, burnout and mental health challenges were greater in both the MPD and HPD profiles compared to the LPD profile. Sense of belonging in the lab was higher for the LPD and MPD profiles, while departmental belonging was significantly lower for the MPD and HPD profiles compared to the LPD profile. These findings highlight the impact of department-based discrimination on mental well-being and belonging. By incorporating additional measures, such as disruptiveness, coping confidence, and perceived reasons for discrimination, this study provides a deeper understanding of how perceived discrimination relates to well-being and highlights the value of latent profile analysis in capturing nuanced patterns and their demographic associations.
DOI: 10.1037/dhe0000736
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Funders: Oklahoma Center for Adult Stem Cell Research, BRAIN Initiative, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Simons Foundation, Alzheimer's Association, American Heart Association, Presbyterian Health Foundation, Whitehall Foundation, Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, Radiological Society of North America, BrightFocus Foundation, Cure Alzheimer's Fund, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Science and Technology, Wellcome Trust, Francis Crick Institute, Stiftelsen för Gamla Tjänarinnor, Coins for Alzheimer's Research Trust, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, UK Government, EU Joint Programme – Neurodegenerative Disease Research, University of Rwanda, Amorepacific Corporation, National Scleroderma Foundation, Michael Smith Health Research BC, Foulkes Foundation, National Research Foundation, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Agence Nationale de la Recherche, Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung, Deakin University, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Chinese Academy of Sciences, King Saud University, Austrian Science Fund, Chung-Ang University, Konkuk University, Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud Islamic University, Universität Wien, Työsuojelurahasto, Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Hungarian Scientific Research Fund, Korea Health Industry Development Institute, National Research Foundation of Korea, Hjärnfonden, Regione Campania, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Sapienza Università di Roma, Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi Province, China Scholarship Council, Gauhati University, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Deutsche Krebshilfe, Konung Gustaf V:s och Drottning Victorias Frimurarestiftelse, Ministry of Science and Technology, Israel, Semnan University, Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province, Stiftelsen Psykiatriska Forskningsfonden, Alzheimerfonden, Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust, European Society of Intensive Care Medicine, Hector Stiftung, Olav Thon Stiftelsen, National Institutes of Health, Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, University of Wisconsin, Madison, School of Medicine, Stanford University, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Wu Jieping Medical Foundation, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, European Regional Development Fund, National Key Research and Development Program of China, Youth Science Foundation of Guangxi Medical University, National Institute on Aging, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute of Mental Health, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
OpenAlex ID: W7163890834