The Impact of Counseling Groups on STEM Graduate Student Well-Being: A Qualitative Investigation

ABSTRACT

STEM graduate students have high rates of stress, burn-out, and depression fueled by the competitive nature of these programs, financial and job insecurities, and the isolation that often comes alongside graduate school. The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of a brief counseling support group provided to STEM graduate students across two university campuses. Using a phenomenological framework, analysis of focus group and individual interviews revealed the unique challenges of STEM graduate school education, the therapeutic benefits of counseling groups, and the potential difficulties of providing mental health support to this population.

KEYWORDS:

• STEM
• graduate student
• mental health
• support groups

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. [2015254; 2015251; 2105221]. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Notes on contributors

Jayna Mumbauer-Pisano

Jayna Mumbauer-Pisano, PhD is a counselor and an assistant professor in the Department of Counseling at the University of Montana in Missoula, MT.

Sarah Keller

Sarah Keller is Professor of Communication Studies at Montana State University Billings, where she researches communication strategies interventions for public health attitude and behavior change.

Kristen Byrne

Kristen Byrne works on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in STEM-related fields at the University of Montana. She holds an M.A. in Counselor Education with a focus in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Montana in Missoula, MT.

Ashby Kinch

Ashby Kinch is Professor of English and Dean of the Graduate School at University of Montana, where he researches Middle English literature and attitudes toward death and dying.