It's stress, Jim, but not as we know it: the mental health and wellbeing of engineering students.

Tait, Jo-Anne

Abstract

Until recently, engineering students have not been well represented in student mental health and wellbeing literature, and - because of their demographic (primarily young men) - they may be at higher risk of poor mental health and wellbeing. The aim of this research was to establish the mental wellbeing of engineering students in the UK and to identify the help-seeking behaviours that engineering students demonstrate when experiencing poor mental wellbeing. An overview of literature on the subjects of mental health and wellbeing in students generally and in engineering students specifically is provided. This study took the form of a mixed-methods research sequential explanatory design project with a salutogenic approach, focussing on the engineering student population in the UK. An online survey was completed by 417 engineering students, with 27 students additionally participating in semi-structured interviews analysed by thematic framework analysis. The study found that mental wellbeing in engineering students is significantly lower than the general population and lower than other students; moreover, they prefer not to seek help from engineering staff due to poor experiences and stigma. Those who reported good mental wellbeing felt they spent time looking after their mental wellbeing. Lack of time was a key issue in supporting their own mental health and wellbeing. Analysis of interviews also indicated lack of time/time management as a problem in terms of maintaining good mental health and wellbeing. Principal themes developed were: Curriculum, Identity, and Mental Health and Wellbeing. A further theme collated participants' suggestions for engineering schools. This research concludes that engineering students experience continuous stress throughout their degree programmes and encounter barriers that prevent them from seeking help when suffering from poor mental health or wellbeing. A new framework for supporting mental health and wellbeing in engineering students was proposed. Strengths and limitations of the project are discussed, and recommendations made for future research.

Citation

TAIT, J.-A. 2024. It's stress, Jim, but not as we know it: the mental health and wellbeing of engineering students. Robert Gordon University, PhD thesis. Hosted on OpenAIR [online]. Available from: https://doi.org/10.48526/rgu-wt-2571283

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Nov 5, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 5, 2024
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.48526/rgu-wt-2571283
• Keywords: Engineering students; Mental health; Well-being; UK
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2571283
• Award Date: May 31, 2024