Developmental Trajectories During Doctoral Study: Identifying Heterogeneity in Psychosocial Factors' Development

• In Event: Across the Lifespan: Psychosocial Influences on Development

Abstract

Despite their importance to the research enterprise, doctoral students are an underexamined population in higher education. Qualitative research highlights the importance of psychosocial characteristics in academic success and scholarly identity formation. However, no study has explored their developmental trajectories from a quantitative perspective. Using three-year longitudinal data in a single institution, this study identifies doctoral student’s developmental trajectories in perceptions of competence, autonomy, relatedness, knowledge, and recognition, and the students’ profile in each trajectory. Findings highlight a non-monolithic socialization process that calls for a systematic approach to provide interventions to the students that struggle more to develop a scholarly identity. Moreover, findings call attention to gender inequities and the role of anticipatory socialization experiences on student’s developmental trajectories.

Authors

• Paula Clasing-Manquian, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

• Heeyun Kim, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

• Nabih Haddad, Harvard University

• John Gonzalez, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor