Home > Research > Publications & Outputs > PhD experience (and progress) is more than work

Research

Links

Text available via DOI:

Keywords

View graph of relations

PhD experience (and progress) is more than work: life-work relations and reducing exhaustion (and cynicism)

Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review

Published

Standard

PhD experience (and progress) is more than work : life-work relations and reducing exhaustion (and cynicism). / McAlpine, L.; Skakni, I.; Pyhältö, K.

In: Studies in Higher Education, Vol. 47, No. 2, 28.02.2022, p. 352-366.

Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review

Harvard

McAlpine, L, Skakni, I & Pyhältö, K 2022, 'PhD experience (and progress) is more than work: life-work relations and reducing exhaustion (and cynicism)', Studies in Higher Education, vol. 47, no. 2, pp. 352-366. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2020.1744128

APA

McAlpine, L., Skakni, I., & Pyhältö, K. (2022). PhD experience (and progress) is more than work: life-work relations and reducing exhaustion (and cynicism). Studies in Higher Education, 47(2), 352-366. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2020.1744128

Vancouver

McAlpine L, Skakni I, Pyhältö K. PhD experience (and progress) is more than work: life-work relations and reducing exhaustion (and cynicism). Studies in Higher Education. 2022 Feb 28;47(2):352-366. Epub 2020 Mar 25. doi: 10.1080/03075079.2020.1744128

Author

McAlpine, L. ; Skakni, I. ; Pyhältö, K. / PhD experience (and progress) is more than work : life-work relations and reducing exhaustion (and cynicism). In: Studies in Higher Education. 2022 ; Vol. 47, No. 2. pp. 352-366.

Bibtex

@article{e13294aa42124c5ab0f4678250c6f963,
title = "PhD experience (and progress) is more than work: life-work relations and reducing exhaustion (and cynicism)",
abstract = "Prior studies have reported high levels of PhD stress resulting in exhaustion and cynicism related to negative institutional factors. Yet, we know little of the possible influence of personal lives on exhaustion/cynicism. This mixed-methods study examines the interrelation. We drew on exhaustion, cynicism, life-work relation scales and free-write responses about managing life and work of 123 Swiss PhD students. Respondents typically reported positive life-work relations, with this experience particularly buffering exhaustion, which can lead to cynicism and possibly burnout. The analysis of free-write responses supported this view. Respondents reported they largely balanced/managed to balance life and work, with family most frequently referenced in this regard. Finally, we combined the scaled and free-write responses. Individuals, even if reporting exhaustion and negative aspects in their life-work relations, consistently reported being able to combine their career and life goals. This alignment may serve as a mechanism for buffering other life-work and institutional challenges.",
keywords = "cynicism, Doctoral education, exhaustion, life-work relation, mixed methods",
author = "L. McAlpine and I. Skakni and K. Pyh{\"a}lt{\"o}",
year = "2022",
month = feb,
day = "28",
doi = "10.1080/03075079.2020.1744128",
language = "English",
volume = "47",
pages = "352--366",
journal = "Studies in Higher Education",
issn = "0307-5079",
publisher = "Routledge",
number = "2",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - PhD experience (and progress) is more than work

T2 - life-work relations and reducing exhaustion (and cynicism)

AU - McAlpine, L.

AU - Skakni, I.

AU - Pyhältö, K.

PY - 2022/2/28

Y1 - 2022/2/28

N2 - Prior studies have reported high levels of PhD stress resulting in exhaustion and cynicism related to negative institutional factors. Yet, we know little of the possible influence of personal lives on exhaustion/cynicism. This mixed-methods study examines the interrelation. We drew on exhaustion, cynicism, life-work relation scales and free-write responses about managing life and work of 123 Swiss PhD students. Respondents typically reported positive life-work relations, with this experience particularly buffering exhaustion, which can lead to cynicism and possibly burnout. The analysis of free-write responses supported this view. Respondents reported they largely balanced/managed to balance life and work, with family most frequently referenced in this regard. Finally, we combined the scaled and free-write responses. Individuals, even if reporting exhaustion and negative aspects in their life-work relations, consistently reported being able to combine their career and life goals. This alignment may serve as a mechanism for buffering other life-work and institutional challenges.

AB - Prior studies have reported high levels of PhD stress resulting in exhaustion and cynicism related to negative institutional factors. Yet, we know little of the possible influence of personal lives on exhaustion/cynicism. This mixed-methods study examines the interrelation. We drew on exhaustion, cynicism, life-work relation scales and free-write responses about managing life and work of 123 Swiss PhD students. Respondents typically reported positive life-work relations, with this experience particularly buffering exhaustion, which can lead to cynicism and possibly burnout. The analysis of free-write responses supported this view. Respondents reported they largely balanced/managed to balance life and work, with family most frequently referenced in this regard. Finally, we combined the scaled and free-write responses. Individuals, even if reporting exhaustion and negative aspects in their life-work relations, consistently reported being able to combine their career and life goals. This alignment may serve as a mechanism for buffering other life-work and institutional challenges.

KW - cynicism

KW - Doctoral education

KW - exhaustion

KW - life-work relation

KW - mixed methods

U2 - 10.1080/03075079.2020.1744128

DO - 10.1080/03075079.2020.1744128

M3 - Journal article

VL - 47

SP - 352

EP - 366

JO - Studies in Higher Education

JF - Studies in Higher Education

SN - 0307-5079

IS - 2

ER -