Mental Health-Related Barriers and Facilitators to PhD Program Retention among Underrepresented Racial and Ethnic Minoritized (UREM) Nursing Students: A Qualitative Inquiry

Abstract

Mental health concerns among doctorate (PhD) nursing students may impact program retention, especially among underrepresented racial-/ethnic-minoritized (UREM) students. Understanding mental health concerns among UREM PhD students is necessary to develop retention strategies. We conducted a qualitative secondary data analysis of a descriptive study with focus groups and individual semi-structured interviews. Participants identified as actively enrolled UREM in PhD nursing programs. Conventional content analysis was utilized. Mental health informed retention through the following themes: PhD program pressure and expectations, help-seeking barriers, personal motivations to succeed, and it takes a village: fostering peer support. Implications for nursing faculty are discussed.

Acknowledgments

We would like to first acknowledge the research participants in this study who graciously shared their experiences with our study team.

Authors’ contributions

Lilian G. Bravo, Gillian I Adynski, Crisma Emmanuel, Alasia Ledford and Ebahi Ikharo: Conceptualization, Methodology, Data Collection, Data Analysis, Writing of the final Manuscript. Sandra Garcia and Latesha K. Harris: Data Analysis and Writing of the Final Manuscript. Shielda Rodgers and Cheryl Woods Giscombe: Mentorship and expert guidance on the project, assisted with conceptualization, methodology, and manuscript review.

Disclosure statement

No conflicts of interest to report.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Rita and Alex Hillman Foundation under their Advancing Early Research Opportunities grant for doctoral students in the Hillman Scholars Program in Nursing Innovation. Lilian Bravo was supported by the National Institutes of Health, National Institutes of Nursing Research under award number T32NR007091-24: Interventions for Preventing and Managing Chronic Illness (MPIs: S. Santacroce/J. Leeman).