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The Third Half: A Pilot Study Using Evidence-Based Psychological Strategies to Promote Well-Being among Doctoral Students

Author

Listed:
  • Anna Muro

    (Department of Basic, Developmental and Educational Psychology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
    Serra Hunter Programme, Generalitat de Catalunya, 08017 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Iván Bonilla

    (Department of Basic, Developmental and Educational Psychology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
    Sports Research Institute, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain)

  • Claudia Tejada-Gallardo

    (Department of Psychology, University of Lleida, 25001 Lleida, Spain)

  • María Paola Jiménez-Villamizar

    (Department of Basic, Developmental and Educational Psychology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
    Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad del Magdalena, Santa Marta 470001, Colombia)

  • Ramon Cladellas

    (Department of Basic, Developmental and Educational Psychology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
    Sports Research Institute, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain)

  • Antoni Sanz

    (Department of Basic, Developmental and Educational Psychology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
    Sports Research Institute, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain)

  • Miquel Torregrossa

    (Department of Basic, Developmental and Educational Psychology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
    Sports Research Institute, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain)

Abstract

Over the last few years, various studies have reported decreasing well-being levels among doctoral students, who show a higher risk of suffering from psychological distress than the general population. Accordingly, European policies in higher education encourage well-being promotion programs among doctoral studies to enhance young researchers’ well-being. However, programs using evidence-based practices for well-being promotion are not yet generalised in public universities. The present study describes a pilot experience designed to evaluate the efficacy of a well-being program among doctoral candidates of a public European university, the Autonomous University of Barcelona. 25 doctoral students (67% women) participated in a pre-post study consisting of six sessions of 3 h each and structured by the big five criteria coming from evidence-based practices for well-being promotion: outdoor green spaces exposure, physical activity, gamification, mentoring, positive and coaching psychology techniques. Results showed how participants experienced significant increases in several indicators of emotional well-being and decreased psychological distress after the Third Half program. These positive pilot results encourage further research and future replications to assess the impact of this evidence-based psychological program among the academic community. Results also lead the way towards the creation of healthier academic workplaces by implementing cost-effective interventions that improve researchers’ psychosocial support and their overall well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Muro & Iván Bonilla & Claudia Tejada-Gallardo & María Paola Jiménez-Villamizar & Ramon Cladellas & Antoni Sanz & Miquel Torregrossa, 2022. "The Third Half: A Pilot Study Using Evidence-Based Psychological Strategies to Promote Well-Being among Doctoral Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:24:p:16905-:d:1005341
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Levecque, Katia & Anseel, Frederik & De Beuckelaer, Alain & Van der Heyden, Johan & Gisle, Lydia, 2017. "Work organization and mental health problems in PhD students," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(4), pages 868-879.
    2. Ana Manzano-León & Pablo Camacho-Lazarraga & Miguel A. Guerrero & Laura Guerrero-Puerta & José M. Aguilar-Parra & Rubén Trigueros & Antonio Alias, 2021. "Between Level Up and Game Over: A Systematic Literature Review of Gamification in Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-14, February.
    3. Chris Woolston, 2019. "PhDs: the tortuous truth," Nature, Nature, vol. 575(7782), pages 403-406, November.
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