The Wellbeing Of Academics And Some Implications For Research Supervisors: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Worldwide, mental health problems are increasing, and the Covid-19 pandemic contributed to the alarming statistics for the general population. The objectives of this article were to determine the current state of wellbeing of research supervisors as academics and, secondly, to identify what the literature reports about the wellbeing of research supervisors. The scoping review methodology by Arksey and O'Malley was followed to determine the range and nature of the research on the wellbeing of research supervisors. Initially, the focus was only on postgraduate research supervisors, but only a few articles were found; therefore, the scope was increased to focus on academics. The key findings of the scoping review are a reported deterioration in the wellbeing of academics, an absence of research on the wellbeing of research supervisors and academics, the need for clarification of the concept wellbeing, careful consideration of the measurement instruments used in determining wellbeing, and interventions that can enhance wellbeing. Given the relentless pressure on supervisors and academics, awareness needs to be created of the various systemic levels to address the continuously declining wellbeing of research supervisors and academics.