Situation and Trends of Stress Among Graduate Students

Abstract

            An academic article on the Situation and Trends of Stress Among Graduate Students aimed to present three main issues: the situation and trends of stress, as well as the causes of stress among graduate students. It was a literature review article that critically synthesized shared findings from various studies. According to data from the year 2022, the health behaviors of students in several aspects had become increasingly concerning. Immediate action was recommended to address and mitigate emerging problems, especially those related to mental health and stress. The findings showed that graduate students experienced a growing accumulation of stress. It was reported that up to 40% of students were under high levels of stress, and around 4% frequently had suicidal thoughts. This situation was not limited to Thailand but was also observed globally. In countries such as Taiwan and the United States, graduate students were found to be up to six times more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety compared to the general population. These conditions could potentially lead to suicide, and the trend appeared to be increasing. In China, graduate students exhibited the highest levels of stress and anxiety, particularly at the master’s degree level, where the prevalence was even higher than among doctoral students. The situation showed a tendency to escalate year by year. The primary causes of stress among graduate students stemmed from intensive academic demands, mismatched expectations with academic advisors, difficulties in adjusting to peers, and financial burdens during their studies. These issues often led to feelings of exhaustion and anxiety, with some students ultimately choosing to withdraw from their programs.