Results of qualitative content analyses.

Mental health issues among Ph.D. students are prevalent and on the rise, with multiple studies showing that Ph.D. students are more likely to experience symptoms of mental health-related issues than the general population. However, the data is still sparse. This study aims to investigate the mental health of 589 Ph.D. students at a public university in Germany using a mixed quantitative and qualitative approach. We administered a web-based self-report questionnaire to gather data on the mental health status, investigated mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety, and potential areas for improvement of the mental health and well-being of Ph.D. students. Our results revealed that one-third of the participants were above the cut-off for depression and that factors such as perceived stress and self-doubt were prominent predictors of the mental health status of Ph.D. students. Additionally, we found job insecurity and low job satisfaction to be predictors of stress and anxiety. Many participants in our study reported working more than full-time while being employed part-time. Importantly, deficient supervision was found to have a negative effect on Ph.D. students’ mental health. The study’s results are in line with those of earlier investigations of mental health in academia, which likewise reveal significant levels of depression and anxiety among Ph.D. students. Overall, the findings provide a greater knowledge of the underlying reasons and potential interventions required for advancing the mental health problems experienced by Ph.D. students. The results of this research can guide the development of effective strategies to support the mental health of Ph.D. students.博士生群体的心理健康问题高发且呈上升趋势，多项研究表明，博士生出现心理健康相关症状的概率远高于普通人群，但目前相关数据仍较为匮乏。本研究采用定量与定性相结合的研究方法，对德国某公立大学的589名博士生的心理健康状况展开调研。研究通过网络自主报告问卷收集数据，涵盖博士生心理健康状态、抑郁与焦虑等精神疾病情况，以及博士生心理健康与福祉的潜在优化方向。研究结果显示，三分之一的参与者抑郁量表得分高于临界值；感知压力与自我怀疑等因素，是影响博士生心理健康状态的显著预测因子。此外，工作不安全感与低工作满意度同样是引发压力与焦虑的预测因素。本研究中多数参与者报告称，其兼职雇佣状态下的工作时长远超全职标准。值得注意的是，导师指导不足被证实会对博士生的心理健康产生负面影响。本研究结果与此前学术界开展的心理健康调研结论一致，均证实博士生群体中存在较高水平的抑郁与焦虑症状。总体而言，本研究结果加深了学界对博士生心理健康问题潜在成因与可行干预手段的认知，可为制定支持博士生心理健康的有效策略提供参考依据。