Abusive Supervision of International PhD students and Postdocs and Its Psychological and Job Impacts: The Moderating Role of Students' Nationality and Advisors' Characteristics
ABSTRACT:
Abusive supervision is a significant issue in academia, particularly affecting international PhD students and Postdocs. This study aims to investigate the psychological and job-related impacts of abusive supervision on this vulnerable group, emphasizing the moderating roles of students' nationality and advisors' characteristics. International PhD students and Postdocs often face unique stressors, including legal dependencies on their advisors, which may exacerbate the effects of abusive supervision. Preliminary research indicates that these students experience higher levels of anxiety, lower levels of social support and self-efficacy compared to their domestic counterparts.
The proposed study utilizes quantitative surveys to capture the breadth and depth of experiences. We hypothesize abusive supervision significantly impacts psychological well-being, leading to increased stress, depression, and anxiety, as well as adverse job-related outcomes such as reduced job satisfaction, and lower productivity. We will explore the moderating role of nationality, anticipating that students from certain regions may experience more severe impacts due to cultural differences in power distance and coping mechanisms. Additionally, we will examine how advisors' characteristics, such as their cultural background, supervisory style, and awareness of international students' challenges, influence the severity of the impacts.
This research aims to highlight the urgent need for academic institutions to recognize and address the specific vulnerabilities of international PhD students and Postdocs. By understanding the moderating effects of nationality, advisors' characteristics, and other relevant factors, we hope to inform the development of targeted interventions to mitigate the negative consequences of abusive supervision, ultimately fostering a more supportive and equitable academic environment.