Effects of a Participation in a Structured Writing Retreat on Doctoral Mental Health: An Experimental and Comprehensive Study
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Writing Retreats as a Mean to Improve Mental Health of Doctoral Researchers
3. Mental Health in the Doctoral Research Context
3.1. Doctoral Psychological Distress
3.2. Doctoral Psychological Wellbeing
3.3. Doctoral Emotional Wellbeing
3.4. Doctoral Social Wellbeing
4. The Present Study
5. Method
5.1. Intervention
5.2. Participants and Procedures
5.3. Measures
5.3.1. Doctoral Psychological Distress
5.3.2. Doctoral Psychological Wellbeing
5.3.3. Doctoral Emotional Wellbeing
5.3.4. Doctoral Social Wellbeing
5.3.5. Writing Retreat Aspects
- Structured program animated by facilitators;
- quantity and quality of work produced;
- socialization and networking opportunities;
- writing and planning strategies employed;
- recharging activities undertaken;
- site, work facilities, and accommodations.
5.4. Analyses
6. Results
6.1. Associations between the Study Variables
6.2. Effects of Writing Retreats on Doctoral Mental Health
6.3. Perceived Effects of Writing Retreat Aspects on Doctoral Mental Health
6.4. Reasons Explaining the Perceived Positive Effects of Writing Retreat Aspects on Doctoral Mental Health
7. Discussion
7.1. The Positive Effects of Writing Retreats to Promote Doctoral Mental Health
7.2. The Positive Role of Writing Retreat Aspects to Promote Doctoral Mental Health
7.3. Practical Implications
8. Limitations and Future Research
9. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
Appendix A
Correlation matrix | ||||||||||||||||||
1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. | 6. | 7. | 8. | 9. | 10. | 11. | 12. | 13. | 14. | 15. | 16. | 17. | 18. | |
1. Gender | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
2. Age | 0.02 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
3. Research domain | −0.01 | 0.03 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
4. Hours worked/week | −0.06 | −0.02 | 0.24 * | 1 | ||||||||||||||
5. Mental health diagnostic | 0.22 * | 0.00 | −0.01 | −0.03 | 1 | |||||||||||||
6. Doctoral psychological wellbeing pre-intervention | −0.10 | 0.09 | 0.06 | 0.02 | 0.25 * | 1 | ||||||||||||
7. Doctoral emotional wellbeing pre-intervention | −0.06 | 0.05 | 0.04 | 0.06 | 0.09 | 0.78 ** | 1 | |||||||||||
8. Doctoral social wellbeing pre-intervention | 0.00 | 0.13 | −0.05 | 0.26 ** | 0.02 | 0.26 ** | 0.37 ** | 1 | ||||||||||
9. Doctoral psychological distress pre-intervention | 0.12 | −0.02 | −0.01 | 0.10 | −0.26 * | −0.73 ** | −0.60 ** | −0.08 | 1 | |||||||||
10. Doctoral psychological wellbeing post-intervention | −0.04 | 0.22 * | 0.15 | 0.10 | 0.28 ** | 0.44 ** | 0.45 ** | 0.21 * | −0.34 ** | 1 | ||||||||
11. Doctoral emotional wellbeing post-intervention | −0.02 | 0.18 | 0.03 | 0.10 | 0.16 | 0.30 ** | 0.45 ** | 0.23 * | −0.29 ** | 0.84 ** | 1 | |||||||
12. Doctoral social wellbeing post-intervention | 0.16 | 0.16 | 0.01 | 0.33 ** | 0.07 | 0.06 | 0.19 | 0.64 ** | 0.10 | 0.39 ** | 0.44 ** | 1 | ||||||
13. Doctoral psychological distress post-intervention | 0.02 | −0.21 * | −0.17 | −0.08 | −0.30 ** | −0.37 ** | −0.32 ** | −0.13 | 0.38 ** | −0.75 ** | −0.71 ** | −0.26 * | 1 | |||||
14. Writing pool | 0.07 | 0.10 | 0.07 | 0.17 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.22 * | 0.14 | 0.00 | 0.31 ** | 0.34 ** | 0.30 ** | −0.34 ** | 1 | ||||
15. Productivity | −0.08 | 0.09 | 0.11 | 0.08 | −0.18 | −0.02 | 0.17 | 0.03 | −0.06 | 0.32 ** | 0.45 ** | 0.18 | −0.33 ** | 0.62 ** | 1 | |||
16. Socialization and networking | 0.06 | 0.26 * | 0.07 | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.08 | 0.09 | 0.18 | −0.05 | 0.35 ** | 0.29 ** | 0.37 ** | −0.32 ** | 0.33 ** | 0.12 | 1 | ||
17. Writing and organizational strategies | 0.01 | 0.15 | −0.01 | 0.10 | −0.01 | −0.10 | −0.09 | −0.07 | 0.11 | 0.17 | 0.18 | 0.05 | −0.22 * | 0.24 * | 0.38 ** | 0.08 | 1 | |
18. Recharging activities | 0.02 | 0.22 * | 0.14 | 0.16 | −0.04 | −0.03 | 0.07 | 0.06 | 0.02 | 0.18 | 0.18 | 0.26 * | −0.17 | 0.20 * | 0.13 | 0.50 ** | 0.09 | 1 |
19. Site | −0.10 | 0.07 | −0.05 | 0.10 | −0.05 | 0.04 | 0.20 * | 0.08 | −0.05 | 0.12 | 0.18 | 0.08 | −0.16 | 0.46 ** | 0.44 ** | 0.32 ** | 0.13 | 0.25 * |
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Demographics | Experimental Group | Control Group |
---|---|---|
Participants | 50 | 50 |
Age mean (SD) | 33.48 (6.81) | 32.40 (4.64) |
Participant gender | ||
Female | 36 | 39 |
Male | 13 | 11 |
Non-binary | 1 | 0 |
Familial status | ||
Nonparents | 39 | 36 |
Parents | 11 | 14 |
Single | 12 | 10 |
In a relationship | 38 | 40 |
Doctoral stage | ||
Tuition | 9 | 11 |
Research project | 11 | 7 |
Dissertation writing | 30 | 32 |
Research domain | ||
Social Sciences | 40 | 40 |
Health, pure, and applied sciences | 10 | 10 |
Hours worked/week mean (SD) | 28.94 (13.48) | 27.16 (12.71) |
Never attended a writing retreat | 31 | 31 |
Pre-Test | Post-Test | Waitlist Post-Intervention | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Group | n | Score | SD | n | Score | SD | n | Score | SD |
Doctoral psychological distress | |||||||||
CG | 50 | 16.58/63 | 10.28 | 50 | 15.56/63 | 10.25 | 48 | 8.69/63 | 8.70 |
EG | 50 | 17.16/63 | 11.07 | 50 | 7.08/63 | 7.14 | |||
Doctoral psychological wellbeing | |||||||||
CG | 50 | 3.09/5 | 0.68 | 50 | 3.08/5 | 0.70 | 48 | 3.74/5 | 0.65 |
EG | 50 | 3.07/5 | 0.65 | 50 | 3.75/5 | 0.74 | |||
Doctoral emotional wellbeing | |||||||||
CG | 50 | 2.42/24 | 7.16 | 50 | 3.72/24 | 7.91 | 48 | 10.81/24 | 7.27 |
EG | 50 | 3.22/24 | 7.73 | 50 | 12.28/24 | 8.24 | |||
Doctoral social wellbeing | |||||||||
CG | 50 | 3.16/5 | 0.84 | 50 | 3.13/5 | 0.74 | 48 | 3.34/5 | 0.75 |
EG | 50 | 3.21/5 | 0.67 | 50 | 3.52/5 | 0.68 |
Source | F | p | ηp2 |
---|---|---|---|
Doctoral psychological distress | |||
Time | 38.72 | <0.001 | 0.28 |
Group | 4.85 | 0.03 | 0.05 |
Time × Group | 23.80 | <0.001 | 0.20 |
Doctoral psychological wellbeing | |||
Time | 46.45 | <0.001 | 0.32 |
Group | 3.57 | 0.06 | 0.04 |
Time × Group | 17.31 | <0.001 | 0.15 |
Doctoral emotional wellbeing | |||
Time | 59.75 | <0.001 | 0.38 |
Group | 11.15 | 0.001 | 0.10 |
Time × Group | 33.52 | <0.001 | 0.26 |
Doctoral social wellbeing | |||
Time | 5.14 | 0.026 | 0.05 |
Group | 2.70 | 0.10 | 0.03 |
Time × Group | 7.90 | 0.006 | 0.08 |
Items | Mean | SD | Skewness | Kurtosis |
---|---|---|---|---|
Writing pool (gathering in the same room to work, managed by facilitators) | 4.82/5 | 0.58 | −4.16 | 20.89 |
Productivity (quantity and quality of work done) | 4.66/5 | 0.63 | −2.20 | 5.62 |
Site (work facilities and accommodations) | 4.61/5 | 0.65 | −1.91 | 4.09 |
Writing and planning strategies | 4.56/5 | 0.68 | −1.26 | 0.30 |
Socialization and networking | 4.35/5 | 0.76 | −1.11 | 1.04 |
Recharging activities | 4.24/5 | 0.91 | −1.01 | 0.50 |
Psychological Distress a | Psychological Wellbeing | Emotional Wellbeing | Social Wellbeing | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Predictors | β | p | β | p | β | p | β | p |
Control T1 b | 0.33 | 0.00 | 0.44 | 0.00 | 0.40 | 0.00 | 0.59 | 0.00 |
Writing pool | −0.07 | 0.59 | 0.10 | 0.38 | −0.03 | 0.80 | 0.14 | 0.16 |
Productivity | −0.29 | 0.02 | 0.27 | 0.02 | 0.42 | 0.00 | 0.09 | 0.36 |
Socialization and networking | −0.23 | 0.03 | 0.28 | 0.01 | 0.25 | 0.01 | 0.19 | 0.04 |
Writing and planning strategies | −0.12 | 0.23 | 0.08 | 0.37 | 0.06 | 0.48 | 0.02 | 0.82 |
Recharging activities | −0.08 | 0.44 | 0.04 | 0.70 | 0.01 | 0.89 | 0.12 | 0.16 |
Site | 0.20 | 0.06 | −0.17 | 0.08 | −0.17 | 0.09 | −0.17 | 0.06 |
Theme | Quotation for Positive Effect on Doctoral Mental Health | Quotation for Null or Negative Effect on Doctoral Mental Health |
---|---|---|
Writing pool | n = 94 | n = 4 |
Created a group effect conducive to writing concentration | Gathering in the same room allowed me to feel driven by the group’s energy. Time management by the facilitators is essential for this group energy, because during the 50-minute work session, everyone works, and no one disturbs or procrastinates on social networks. So, [facilitators] provide a discipline that encourages concentration. (CG50) | The group effect didn’t particularly stimulate me. Time management was rather disturbing for my concentration. (EG6) |
Productivity | n = 94 | n = 4 |
Provided psychological relief, pride, satisfaction, and hope for the future. | I’ve accomplished more in three days than I have in the last two weeks! Making such progress in my work removes a great deal of anxiety about my ability to achieve my objectives and deadlines. I feel accomplished and proud of what I’ve been able to achieve. (EG14) | I came up with goals that weren’t achievable. […] So, I leave the retreat with “what I should have done” instead of thinking “wow, I’ve done so much”. (EG43) |
Socialization and networking | n = 87 | n = 11 |
Enhanced positive emotions as well as sense of belonging, benefiting, and influencing the scientific community. | I realized I wasn’t the only one who was stressed and negative. We laughed about our concerns and challenges, rather than seeing them negatively because we think we’re alone in experiencing them. The people around me don’t understand the challenges I face. The other doctoral researchers understand! I met people working on subjects related to mine too, so it gave me a renewed passion for my subject. (CG34) | As my career progresses, I feel less and less a part of the scientific community. The clinical environment appeals to me more and I feel that I belong more there. [At the retreat], finding myself only with researcher students talking about their dissertation and academic background exacerbated my feeling of not fitting in. (EG9) |
Writing and planning strategies | n = 88 | n = 10 |
Enhanced perceived productivity and self-efficacy. | The tools and working techniques enhance efficiency considerably. The 50-min Pomodoro is ideal to focus when we’re writing. And to see everyone’s objectives moving throughout the retreat [through the giant Kanban board] is highly motivating. (EG47) | I don’t feel the need to break my objectives down into small tasks. When I set to work, I know what I have to do and I do it. It would be a waste of time for me to write down what I have to do. (EG24) |
Recharging activities | n = 76 | n = 22 |
Provided an opportunity to unwind and refresh. | I loved being able to enjoy the river and the surrounding forest trails through walks or runs. Each time, I felt re-energized to engaged into another pomodoro. (EG2) | I didn’t do such activities. I was there to work. (EG34) |
Site and all-inclusive package | n = 93 | n = 5 |
Helped boost productivity. | Working in a large, quiet, and well-lit room with a magnificent view clearly contributed to my productivity and writing flow, as did being fed without the mental burden of cooking, planning meals, and cleaning up dishes. Everything was optimal. (CG35) | The working facilities could have been a little more ergonomic, the chairs weren’t the most comfortable and the tables weren’t at the right height, but for just three days, it works. (CG33) |
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Vincent, C.; Tremblay-Wragg, É.; Plante, I. Effects of a Participation in a Structured Writing Retreat on Doctoral Mental Health: An Experimental and Comprehensive Study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20, 6953. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20206953
Vincent C, Tremblay-Wragg É, Plante I. Effects of a Participation in a Structured Writing Retreat on Doctoral Mental Health: An Experimental and Comprehensive Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023; 20(20):6953. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20206953
Chicago/Turabian StyleVincent, Cynthia, Émilie Tremblay-Wragg, and Isabelle Plante. 2023. "Effects of a Participation in a Structured Writing Retreat on Doctoral Mental Health: An Experimental and Comprehensive Study" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20, no. 20: 6953. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20206953