Nicholls Helen, Lamb Danielle, Johnson Sonia, Higgs Paul, Pinfold Vanessa, Billings Jo
Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
Department of Applied Health Research, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
Heliyon. 2023 Sep 29;9(10):e20454. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20454. eCollection 2023 Oct.
Recent evidence suggests that it remains difficult for academic researchers to preserve global well-being when working in the UK higher education sector. Our study aimed to explore academic researchers' perspectives on how they feel their mental health and well-being could be better supported within the UK higher education system. Using a combination of semi-structured and narrative interviewing techniques, we gathered the perspectives of 26 researchers. Narrative and reflexive thematic analysis were then used on the data collected. Our findings highlight the need to tackle systemic issues such job insecurity and unrealistically high workloads, given the risk they can pose to researchers' mental health and well-being. Our findings also highlight the key influence of managers and supervisors in creating a supportive environment, and the importance of going beyond support is offered. That is, it is vital to effectively promote any existing or emerging support systems, and to be proactive in offering this support. Given the diversity identified in researchers' individual situations, it is important that support is flexible and takes into consideration individual requirements and preferences. Higher education authorities and institutions need to determine how they can foster a healthy, caring environment for researchers working in this sector going forwards.
最近的证据表明，对于学术研究人员而言，在英国高等教育部门工作时，要维护全球福祉仍很困难。我们的研究旨在探讨学术研究人员对于在英国高等教育系统中如何能更好地支持他们的心理健康和福祉的看法。我们运用半结构化访谈和叙事访谈技巧相结合的方式，收集了26位研究人员的看法。然后对收集到的数据进行叙事和反思性主题分析。我们的研究结果凸显了应对系统性问题（如工作不安全感和过高的工作量）的必要性，因为这些问题可能会对研究人员的心理健康和福祉构成风险。我们的研究结果还凸显了管理人员和主管在营造支持性环境方面的关键影响，以及超越所提供支持的重要性。也就是说，有效推广任何现有的或新出现的支持系统，并积极主动地提供这种支持至关重要。鉴于研究人员个人情况的多样性，支持措施具有灵活性并考虑到个人需求和偏好很重要。高等教育当局和机构需要确定未来如何为该领域的研究人员营造一个健康、关爱的环境。
