Role of Doctoral Studies on the Relationships Between Select Doctoral Students and Their Partners: A Collective Case Study

Authors

  • John Jordan Sam Houston State University
  • Rachael Wilcox Sam Houston State University
  • David Paitson Sam Houston State University
  • Mitch Parker Sam Houston State University
  • Xiaohong Li Sam Houston State University
  • Anthony J. Onwuegbuzie University of Cambridge, University of Johannesburg

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33423/jhetp.v23i6.5963

Keywords:

higher education, doctoral studies, doctoral students, relationships of doctoral students, partners of doctoral students, collective case study

Abstract

Students who enter post-baccalaureate studies face numerable challenges during their tenure in graduate school. Although researchers have studied these inherent challenges, a gap exists in the literature concerning doctoral students and the impact of their studies on their personal relationships. As such, the purpose of this collective case study was to examine the effect that doctoral studies have on the relationships between select doctoral students and their partners. Semi-structured interviews of six participants, selected via convenience sampling (i.e., current doctoral students who have been in relationships during their doctoral studies), generated data concerning challenges, coping mechanisms, personal emotions, and relationship concerns. These findings provided a composite understanding of the potential inherent struggles of doctoral students and the corresponding role that their doctoral studies have on the relationships of these specific doctoral students and their partners that matched much of the findings noted in the literature. It is the researchers’ hope that the results will help guide future researchers but urge caution concerning the generalizability of the information gained from this study due to its small sample size.

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Published

2023-04-11

How to Cite

Jordan, J., Wilcox, R., Paitson, D., Parker, M., Li, X., & Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2023). Role of Doctoral Studies on the Relationships Between Select Doctoral Students and Their Partners: A Collective Case Study. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, 23(6). https://doi.org/10.33423/jhetp.v23i6.5963

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Section

Articles