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Mental Health of PhD Students at Polish Universities—Before the COVID-19 Outbreak

Author

Listed:
  • Mateusz Kowalczyk

    (Babinski Memorial Hospital, Aleksandrowska St. 159, 91-229 Lodz, Poland)

  • Michał Seweryn Karbownik

    (Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical University of Lodz, Żeligowskiego St. 7/9, 90-752 Lodz, Poland)

  • Edward Kowalczyk

    (Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical University of Lodz, Żeligowskiego St. 7/9, 90-752 Lodz, Poland)

  • Monika Sienkiewicz

    (Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Microbiological Diagnostic, Medical University of Lodz, Muszyńskiego St. 1, 90-151 Lodz, Poland)

  • Monika Talarowska

    (Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology, Institute of Psychology, University of Lodz, Smugowa St. 10/12, 91-433 Lodz, Poland)

Abstract

Background: A group particularly exposed to the occurrence of disorders in the sphere of the psyche are young people with a newly developing personality structure and a sense of identity. In the available literature there are few reports describing the mental health of doctoral students—a group that is affected by a particular group of stressors. The aim of the research was to assess the mental health of PhD students at Polish universities. Material and Methods: The Polish adaptation of the GHQ Questionnaire-28, developed by David Goldberg et al. was used in the research. PhD students from all universities associated in the National Representation of Doctoral Students were invited to take part in the research. A total of 576 completed questionnaires were received. Results: It was found that depression is statistically more frequent in doctoral students who are not in any relationship with another person; anxiety/insomnia is more common in women than men and less frequently in doctoral students of general than in technical universities. Conclusions: (1) More than half of the surveyed students complain about the deterioration of mental health. The most commonly reported symptom groups are anxiety and insomnia, followed by social dysfunctions and somatic symptoms. (2) Depression is statistically more common in people who are not in any relationship with another person and anxiety and insomnia are statistically more common in women than in men and statistically less frequent in doctoral students of general universities than technical universities. (3) In view of the presented results, educating young adults in the field of self-awareness in the field of mental health seems to be particularly important.

Suggested Citation

  • Mateusz Kowalczyk & Michał Seweryn Karbownik & Edward Kowalczyk & Monika Sienkiewicz & Monika Talarowska, 2021. "Mental Health of PhD Students at Polish Universities—Before the COVID-19 Outbreak," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-9, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:22:p:12068-:d:681130
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maria Di Blasi & Gaia Albano & Giulia Bassi & Elisa Mancinelli & Cecilia Giordano & Claudia Mazzeschi & Chiara Pazzagli & Silvia Salcuni & Gianluca Lo Coco & Omar Carlo Gioacchino Gelo & Gloria Lagett, 2021. "Factors Related to Women’s Psychological Distress during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from a Two-Wave Longitudinal Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-12, November.
    2. Anne M Verhallen & Remco J Renken & Jan-Bernard C Marsman & Gert J ter Horst, 2019. "Romantic relationship breakup: An experimental model to study effects of stress on depression (-like) symptoms," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(5), pages 1-13, May.
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    1. Monika Talarowska & Kinga Rucka & Mateusz Kowalczyk & Jan Chodkiewicz & Edward Kowalczyk & Michał Seweryn Karbownik & Monika Sienkiewicz, 2023. "Mental Health of Students at Polish Universities after Two Years of the Outbreak of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-12, January.

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