Experiencing the Journey Together: The Role of Social Support During the Doctorate

Abstract

Completing a doctorate is both a challenging and rewarding experience. However, the underlying solitary nature and structure of this particular degree bring with it distinct challenges, with social isolation identified as a major contributing factor of compromised psychological and physical health. The issue of social support during the doctoral journey is important to address given its relationship with well-being. Indeed, adequate social support becomes a critical component if one is to navigate the Ph.D. terrain successfully. This chapter highlights the protective benefits associated with social support, as well as examining the empirical findings about the negative effects of social isolation during the doctoral journey. Additionally, the chapter provides two contrasting student experiences of social isolation, specifically relating to on-campus versus off-campus modes of study. Finally, we provide practical strategies that facilitate increased social support.