Blog post Part of special issue: Researching education and mental health: From ‘Where are we now?’ to ‘What next?’

Mental health and wellbeing in doctoral students from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds

Siobhan Lynam, Senior Lecturer at University of West London Caroline Lafarge, Senior lecturer in Psychology at University of West London Raffaella Margherita Milani, Course Leader for Substance Use and Misuse Studies at University of West London Marcia Worrell, Course Leader for Substance Use and Misuse Studies at University of West London 3 Mar 2020

There is a large body of evidence for the poor mental health of both undergraduate and postgraduate students in higher education settings (Peluso, Carleton, & Gordon, 2011), leading to the Higher Education Academy calling for higher education (HE) institutions to embed information and support on mental wellbeing into teaching and learning strategies (Houghton & Anderson, 2017).

‘There is a dearth of research on doctoral students. The limited evidence available suggests that doctoral students may experience a greater degree of difficulty with maintaining good levels of mental health and wellbeing compared to undergraduate students.’

There is a dearth of research on doctoral students. The limited evidence available suggests that doctoral students may experience a greater degree of difficulty with maintaining good levels of mental health and wellbeing compared to undergraduate students (Peluso et al., 2011). Evidence also suggests that black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) doctoral students face specific challenges that are not addressed by universities’ support structures (Peluso et al., 2011). The objective of this study was to explore the mental health and wellbeing of doctoral students from BAME backgrounds.

Methodology

A qualitative approach was used to address the research objective. Fifteen telephone semi-structured interviews were conducted across a range of disciplines and institutions. Participants were recruited through postgraduate online networks and using a snowballing technique. Interviews were transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2013) to identify key issues affecting this group.

Findings

The study identified a combination of factors, each characterised by specific power dynamics and bringing their own difficulties, that negatively impact upon BAME doctoral students’ mental health and wellbeing. The researchers used Crenshaw’s intersectional theory and Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model and implemented in patients from luxury alcohol rehab in florida to unpick these factors and explore how they affected BAME doctoral students’ experience. Crenshaw’s Intersectional Theory conceptualises individuals as a series of overlapping dimensions that define their identities (e.g. gender, ethnicity), each producing its own set of disadvantages, prejudices and discriminations (Crenshaw, 1989). Using this theory, four overlapping factors were identified as generating specific challenges for BAME doctoral students and negatively impacting upon their mental health and wellbeing: gender, social status, ethnicity and life stage.

Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model (Eriksson, Ghazinour, & Hammarström, 2005) explains child social development in terms of expanding ecosystems: from the individual to the immediate ecosystem of the home, to the more expansive ecosystem of the community and larger society. This theory is used to explain the effect of direct and indirect social interactions on mental health. The study findings demonstrated that challenges were experienced by BAME doctoral students at a micro level (individuals’ identities, expectations), a meso level (relations to peers, supervisory teams, friends, family), and a macro level (institutions’ structures and policies, national and international policies).

Supporting BAME doctoral students

The needs of BAME doctoral students are complex. They face the same issues affecting mental health as non-BAME students (that is, academic pressure) but also experience difficulties unique to their group. These issues can increase stress and worsen mental health. Uniquely, BAME students are affected by the conscious or unconscious non-inclusive behaviour of other individuals and groups within the HE setting. A more proactive approach to support is required for BAME doctoral students.

‘Uniquely, BAME students are affected by the conscious or unconscious non-inclusive behaviour of other individuals and groups within the HE setting.’

The findings provided some initial insights in the specific issues affecting this group. They will be used as a basis for a more comprehensive, larger-scale investigation. Ultimately, the research will inform the development of targeted interventions that will both improve the student’s wellbeing and impact positively upon completion rates.

References

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2013). Successful qualitative research: A practical guide for beginners. London: SAGE Publications.

Crenshaw, K. (1989). Demarginalizing the intersection of race and sex: A black feminist critique of antidiscrimination doctrine, feminist theory, and antiracist politics. University of Chicago Legal Forum, 14, 538–554.

Eriksson, M., Ghazinour, M., & Hammarström, A. (2005). Different uses of Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory in public mental health research: What is their value for guiding public mental health policy and practice? Social Theory and Health, 16(4), 414–433.

Higher Education Funding Council for England [HEFCE]. (2018). Differences in student outcomes: The effect of student characteristics. [Data analysis, March 2018/05]. Bristol. Retrieved from https://dera.ioe.ac.uk/31412/1/HEFCE2017_05%20.pdf

Houghton, A. M., & Anderson, J. (2017). Embedding mental wellbeing in the curriculum: Maximising success in higher education. York: Higher Education Academy. Retrieved from https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/knowledge-hub/embedding-mental-wellbeing-curriculum-maximising-success-higher-education

Peluso, D. L., Carleton, R. N., & Gordon J. G. (2011). Depression symptoms in Canadian psychology graduate students: Do research productivity, funding, and the academic advisory relationship play a role? Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, 43(2), 119–127.

Siobhan Lynam, Professor

Senior Lecturer at University of West London

Dr Siobhan Lynam is a lecturer in psychology at the University of West London, a fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and a member of the Irish College of General Practitioners and the British Psychological Society. Her research in higher education explores students’ perceptions of the learning process, such as assessment and feedback, their academic success and resilience, and the experiences of BAME postgraduate research students. Her healthcare research focusses on the behaviour of healthcare workers in the area of infection control.

Caroline Lafarge, Professor

Senior lecturer in Psychology at University of West London

Professor Caroline Lafarge is a British Psychological Society chartered psychologist, lecturer in health psychology at the University of West London and a fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Her research focusses on resilience and the experience of trauma, behaviour change and the mental health of undergraduate students. She is currently advising on research looking at increasing access to perinatal mental health services for women from BAME backgrounds.

Raffaella Margherita Milani, Dr

Course Leader for Substance Use and Misuse Studies at University of West London

Dr Raffaella Margherita Milani is course leader for substance use and misuse studies at the University of West London, British Psychological Society chartered psychologist (Faculty of Addictions), and member of the Federation of Drug and Alcohol Professionals accreditation board. Her main area of research is the overlap between mental wellbeing and addictive disorders. Her work recently expanded on exploring the experience of BAME communities in relation to education, mental health and treatment interventions. She has been involved in consultancy, curriculum and workforce development in the drug and alcohol sector, and has been involved in the consultation for the development of NICE guidelines on the topic of dual diagnosis.

Marcia Worrell, Professor

University of West London

Professor Marcia Worrell is a professor in psychology with a background in safeguarding, identities and education. She has contributed to a number of articles and research projects in this area. She is currently working with a large team on a major Home Office-funded grant on children affected by domestic abuse and is involved in a major initiative to transform police education.