Race, Gender, and Mental Health Among Engineering Doctoral Scholars: Determinants of Stress and Seeking Help

• In Event: 51.077 - Student Resilience in Response to Stressors

Abstract

Research shows that graduate students face heightened challenges to their mental health and well-being; however, research has not examined differences in mental health by race, which is concerning given the link between race and racism to stress and strain. In this study, we collected survey data from a racially diverse group of doctoral scholars in engineering (n = 676) which included but was not limited to measures of their postsecondary experiences and mental health. Results revealed that Asian respondents had higher levels of stress, yet they were also less likely to seek of psychological services to cope with their stress. Because Asian students are often stereotyped as “model,” many departments might be overlooking their mental health needs.

Authors

• Dasom Lee, Vanderbilt University

• Jeremy Lynch, Vanderbilt University

• Dara Elizabeth Naphan, Vanderbilt University

• Amanda J Brockman, Vanderbilt University

• Ebony Omotola McGee, Vanderbilt Peabody College