Tools for advancing towards a mentally healthy research career

The publication was coordinated by Anna Muro, researcher at the Department of Basic, Developmental and Educational Psychology, and María Paola Jiménez Villamizar, PhD student at the same department.

Based on articles by researchers from the UAB and other European universities, the book addresses mental health problems and the management of well-being in academic and research environments, as well as the silence that still exists around mental health in research environments. One group particularly affected is young researchers, who suffer most from the instability and contractual uncertainty of a research career. According to a study recently published by the two researchers and Antoni Sanz, the three members of the Stress and Health Research Group (GEIS), between 32% and 42% of PhD students are at particularly high risk of developing psychopathological disorders.

"There is a growing awareness of the need to apply emotional and stress management in academic and research careers, through actions that favour social cohesion to avoid isolation, a broader and more realistic perspective of the research career in order to be successful and have well-being, and a healthy lifestyle, both physically and emotionally, to balance professional and personal life," explains Anna Muro.

The authors explain the model of prevention and promotion of well-being that is characteristic of positive psychology, a branch of psychology that studies the processes of well-being and life satisfaction. At the same time, they also present the different evidence-based strategies and techniques that are being implemented at local and European level to promote positive mental health and reduce stigma.

One of the chapters is dedicated to a strategy that researchers are carrying out at the UAB after the Covid-19 pandemic, which significantly increased mental health problems among young researchers. The El Tercer Temps - TT programme takes its name from the third half, a tradition in rugby and other sports in which, at the end of the match, opponents share time together informally to encourage strengthening bonds, respect for others and the management of feelings and emotions. The psycho-educational intervention has been carried out at the UAB for two years now with positive results: it improves emotional well-being, academic motivation and work climate of the young researchers and reduces the risk of suffering from anxious-depressive symptoms during their PhD studies.

"However, we still need a lot of studies and, most importantly, more commitment from educational and research institutions to implement this type of evidence-based action. We are in a very seminal phase, trying to raise awareness and demonstrate that investing in mental health is a systemic action that benefits not only the individual, but also their environment and institutions, creating more motivating and friendly work environments," says Anna Muro, who designed and coordinates the programme.

The Third Half, towards the creation of healthier research careers can be accessed free of charge at the following link:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/374677725_The_Third_Half_BOOK