Grit as a Key Factor in PhD Students’ Work Engagement and Burnout

Abstract

Background: This study aims to explore the potential factors that can support Ph.D. students in completing their theses in a timely manner while maintaining their mental well-being. Theory: Based on the JD-R model, we discriminate between two independent processes: (1) Job demands are a health impairment process that may lead to exhaustion and burnout. (2) Job resources are a motivational process that may lead to job satisfaction and engagement. In this study, we also wanted to explore grit as a potential mediator variable and how it could impact exhaustion at work and work engagement among Ph.D. students. Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey design was used, from a sample of 194 Ph.D. students in Norway. Data were analyzed through structural equation modeling. Results: Our results indicated that demands at work, not resources, had a positive significant effect on Ph.D. students’ grit, which acted as a mediator variable for exhaustion at work and work engagement. Conclusions: This study improves our understanding of the factors affecting Ph.D. students’ mental well-being and sheds light on how institutions can optimize resources and demands to promote timely thesis completion while minimizing the risk of severe mental health challenges.