Conceptualizing Thriving in Graduate Students: A Mixed-Methods Study

• In Event: Mental Health and Graduate Students

Abstract

The purpose of this mixed methods study is to investigate and understand how the notion of student thriving can be conceptualized and understood within the context of post-secondary graduate and professional studies. After analysing 3769 graduate students thriving definitions, it found that there are three common conceptualizations of thriving: primarily academic, primarily holistic health, and a balance of academic and holistic health. In addition, this research found six overarching themes—Being, Connecting, Engaging, Achieving, Enjoying, and Balancing—providing the beginning groundwork for understanding the graduate student experience, and how programs and institutions can best support those enrolled within their graduate and professional programs.

Authors

• Heather Coe-Nesbitt, Queen's University

• Eleftherios Kyprianos Soleas, Queen's University

• Anoushka Moucessian, Queen's University - Kingston

• Nadia S. Arghash, Queen's University

• Benjamin Kutsyuruba, Queen's University