Dark Psychology in Postgraduate Thesis Development
Abstract
Abstract: Postgraduate thesis development is a rigorous and comprehensive process that involves the conception, planning, research, writing, and defense of a scholarly work at the postgraduate level. Nevertheless, despite the increasing interest in developing postgraduate theses, there is a notable deficiency in research regarding their comprehension within the realm of dark psychology. The objective of this study is to review the dark psychology in postgraduate thesis development. The methodology for this study using content analysis would involve several steps. Firstly, a comprehensive literature search would be conducted using databases such as PsycINFO, JSTOR, PubMed, and Google Scholar. This study found that there are five potential areas of exploration related to the darker aspects of psychology in the context of postgraduate thesis development: (a) isolation and loneliness; (b) impostor syndrome; (c) perfectionism and procrastination; (d) toxic mentorship; and (e) burnout and work-life imbalance. In conclusion, this study has shed light on a previously underexplored area of psychology. Future studies on this topic could consider several avenues for exploration.
References
References
AbuSaaleek, A. (2023). Exploring efl supervisors' feedback on postgraduates' research proposals: functions and foci. Register Journal, 16(2), 207-223. https://doi.org/10.18326/register.v16i2.207-223
Alblihed, M., & Alzghaibi, H. (2022). The impact of job stress, role ambiguity and work–life imbalance on turnover intention during covid-19: a case study of frontline health workers in saudi arabia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(20), 13132. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013132
Asif, M., Edison, A., & Dolan, E. (2023). Postgraduate perspectives on mentoring undergraduate researchers for talent development. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1521(1), 155-162. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.14966
Boamah, S., Hamadi, H., Havaei, F., Smith, H., & Webb, F. (2022). Striking a balance between work and play: the effects of work-life interference and burnout on faculty turnover intentions and career satisfaction.. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202201.0120.v1
Brault, C., Thomas, I., Moro, M., & Benoit, L. (2022). School refusal in immigrants and ethnic minority groups: a qualitative study of adolescents' and young adults' experiences. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.803517
Bravata, D., Watts, S., Keefer, A., Madhusudhan, D., Taylor, K., Clark, D., … & Hagg, H. (2019). Prevalence, predictors, and treatment of impostor syndrome: a systematic review. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 35(4), 1252-1275. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-019-05364-1
Carbajal-León, C., Oré-Kovacs, N., Caycho-Rodríguez, T., Yupanqui-Lorenzo, D. E., Llerena-Espezúa, X., Becerra Meza, A. G., Torales, J., & Díaz Fernandez, R. (2023). Medical research trends in undergraduate psychological theses: A report from a South American country. Medicina Clínica y Social, 7(3), 133-141. https://doi.org/10.52379/mcs.v7i3.309
Chan, M., Balushi, A., Al-Adawi, S., Alameddine, M., Saadoon, M., & Bou-Karroum, K. (2021). Workplace bullying, occupational burnout, work–life imbalance and perceived medical errors among nurses in oman: a cluster analysis. Journal of Nursing Management, 30(6), 1530-1539. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13432
Cisco, J. (2019). Exploring the connection between impostor phenomenon and postgraduate students feeling academically-unprepared. Higher Education Research & Development, 39(2), 200-214. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2019.1676198
Clarence, S. (2020). Making visible the affective dimensions of scholarship in postgraduate writing development work. Journal of Praxis in Higher Education, 2(1), 46-62. https://doi.org/10.47989/kpdc63
Field, S. (2024). Exploring the dimensions of responsible research systems and cultures: a scoping review. Royal Society Open Science, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.230624
Guo, J., Chen, Z., & Zheng, B. (2021). Postgraduate competence and academic research performance: the mediating role of psychological capital. Sustainability, 13(11), 6469. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116469
Hansen, T. (2023). Tackling social disconnection: an umbrella review of rct-based interventions targeting social isolation and loneliness.. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3351098/v1
Huang, H., Ding, Y., Liang, Y., Wan, X., Peng, Q., Zhang, Y., … & Chen, C. (2023). The association between perfectionism and academic procrastination among undergraduate nursing students: the role of self‐efficacy and resilience. Nursing Open, 10(10), 6758-6768. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.1922
Jordan, J., Gisondi, M., Buchanavage, J., Diller, D., Pedigo, R., Ahn, J., … & Riddell, J. (2022). Is it worth it? a qualitative analysis of the impact of medical education fellowships on careers. Aem Education and Training, 6(6). https://doi.org/10.1002/aet2.10819
Le, T. T., & Le, X. M. (2022). A decade of researching on professional development in a graduate program: A systematic review. FOSTER: Journal of English Language Teaching, 3(1), 55-68. https://doi.org/10.24256/foster-jelt.v3i1.78
Lee, T., & Lin, L. (2022). Motivational strategies adopted in postgraduate english academic writing courses: perspectives of doctoral students. Sage Open, 12(4), 215824402211382. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221138259
Liu, X., Peng, L., Wang, Z., Zeng, P., Mi, Y., & Xu, H. (2023). Effects of interpersonal sensitivity on depressive symptoms in postgraduate students during the covid-19 pandemic: psychological capital and sleep quality as mediators. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1100355
McGregor, G., &Bartle, E. (2019). The creation and trial of a serious game to support teaching and learning of professional psychology competencies in postgraduate programs. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology. https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.4237
Miranti, M., Handajani, S., Astuti, N., Luthfiati, D., Aini, A., & Ngelambong, A. (2022). Examining attributes affecting thesis completion among undergraduate students. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 12(11). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v12-i11/14756
Mishra, B. (2023). Unveiling the mediating role of psychological well-being on the relationship between social connections and cognition: a study of indian old-age homes.. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3752200/v1
Mishra, B., Pradhan, J., & Dhaka, S. (2023). Identifying the impact of social isolation and loneliness on psychological well-being among the elderly in india: the mediating role of gender, marital status, and education.. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2620380/v1
Moss, R., Gorczynski, P., Sims‐Schouten, W., Heard-Lauréote, K., & Creaton, J. (2021). Mental health and wellbeing of postgraduate researchers: exploring the relationship between mental health literacy, help-seeking behaviour, psychological distress, and wellbeing. Higher Education Research & Development, 41(4), 1168-1183. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2021.1906210
Nambudiri, R., Shaik, R., & Ghulyani, S. (2019). Student personality and academic achievement: mediating role of psychological capital (PsyCap). International Journal of Educational Management, 34, 767-781. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijem-12-2018-0385.
Noel, J., Wambua, B., & Ssentamu, P. (2021). Invest in research supervision, enhance timely completion of postgraduate studies. RMC Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2(1), 35-47. https://doi.org/10.46256/rmcjsochum.v2i1.124
Ooi, H., Hamzah, A., & Thien, L. (2023). The influence of social support on postgraduate students' psychological well-being: self-esteem as a mediator. Participatory Educational Research, 10(3), 150-166. https://doi.org/10.17275/per.23.49.10.3
Petrosyan, S., & Chernysheva, N. (2020). Current problems of modern postgraduate education. Subtropical and Ornamental Horticulture, (72), 24-37. https://doi.org/10.31360/2225-3068-2020-72-17-24
Puntil, D., Dias, G., Kralj, C., Deplessis, C., Rylance-Watson, E., Carol, H., … & Zunszain, P. (2022). Connecting postgraduate students and older adults in the community to support wellbeing: a service-learning module during covid-19 and beyond. Student Success, 13(3), 20-28. https://doi.org/10.5204/ssj.2481
Rahman, D. (2019). The development and validation of the thesis-writing procrastination scale.. https://doi.org/10.32698/hum0197
Reeves, A., Bischoff, A., Yates, B., Brauer, D., & Baranger, A. (2022). A pilot graduate student-led near-peer mentorship program for transfer students provides a supportive network at an r1 institution. Journal of Chemical Education, 100(1), 134-142. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.2c00427
Saputra, M., & Palupi, L. (2020). Relationship between social support and psychological well-being of the final year students. E3s Web of Conferences, 202, 12027. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202020212027
Schutter, N., Koorevaar, L., Holwerda, T., Stek, M., Dekker, J., & Comijs, H. (2019). ‘big five’ personality characteristics are associated with loneliness but not with social network size in older adults, irrespective of depression. International Psychogeriatrics, 32(1), 53-63. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1041610219000231
Stojic, G. V., & Nikolajevic, A. Z. (2022). Postgraduate (master's) studies at the group for sociology of the faculty of philosophy in NIS. Yearbook for Sociology, 18(28), 135-159. https://doi.org/10.46630/gsoc.28.2022.06
Su, Y., Rao, W., Li, M., Caron, G., D’Arcy, C., & Meng, X. (2022). Prevalence of loneliness and social isolation among older adults during the covid-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Psychogeriatrics, 35(5), 229-241. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1041610222000199
Thangavel, G., Memedi, M., & Hedström, K. (2022). Customized information and communication technology for reducing social isolation and loneliness among older adults: scoping review. Jmir Mental Health, 9(3), e34221. https://doi.org/10.2196/34221
Waters, J., Westaby, C., Fowler, A., & Phillips, J. (2020). The emotional labour of doctoral criminological researchers. Methodological Innovations, 13(2), 205979912092567. https://doi.org/10.1177/2059799120925671
Williams, C., Townson, A., Kapur, M., Ferreira, A., Nunn, R., Galante, J., … & Usher‐Smith, J. (2021). Interventions to reduce social isolation and loneliness during covid-19 physical distancing measures: a rapid systematic review. Plos One, 16(2), e0247139. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0247139
Yue, J., & Chen, G. (2020). Competence of pharmacy mentors: a survey of the perceptions of pharmacy postgraduates and their mentors. BMC Medical Education, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-020-02188-0
Zhang, S., Deng, X., Xin, Z., Xuebin, C., & Hou, J. (2022). The relationship between postgraduates’ emotional intelligence and well-being: the chain mediating effect of social support and psychological resilience. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.865025
AbuSaaleek, A. (2023). Exploring efl supervisors' feedback on postgraduates' research proposals: functions and foci. Register Journal, 16(2), 207-223. https://doi.org/10.18326/register.v16i2.207-223
Alblihed, M., & Alzghaibi, H. (2022). The impact of job stress, role ambiguity and work–life imbalance on turnover intention during covid-19: a case study of frontline health workers in saudi arabia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(20), 13132. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013132
Asif, M., Edison, A., & Dolan, E. (2023). Postgraduate perspectives on mentoring undergraduate researchers for talent development. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1521(1), 155-162. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.14966
Boamah, S., Hamadi, H., Havaei, F., Smith, H., & Webb, F. (2022). Striking a balance between work and play: the effects of work-life interference and burnout on faculty turnover intentions and career satisfaction.. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202201.0120.v1
Brault, C., Thomas, I., Moro, M., & Benoit, L. (2022). School refusal in immigrants and ethnic minority groups: a qualitative study of adolescents' and young adults' experiences. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.803517
Bravata, D., Watts, S., Keefer, A., Madhusudhan, D., Taylor, K., Clark, D., … & Hagg, H. (2019). Prevalence, predictors, and treatment of impostor syndrome: a systematic review. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 35(4), 1252-1275. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-019-05364-1
Carbajal-León, C., Oré-Kovacs, N., Caycho-Rodríguez, T., Yupanqui-Lorenzo, D. E., Llerena-Espezúa, X., Becerra Meza, A. G., Torales, J., & Díaz Fernandez, R. (2023). Medical research trends in undergraduate psychological theses: A report from a South American country. Medicina Clínica y Social, 7(3), 133-141. https://doi.org/10.52379/mcs.v7i3.309
Chan, M., Balushi, A., Al-Adawi, S., Alameddine, M., Saadoon, M., & Bou-Karroum, K. (2021). Workplace bullying, occupational burnout, work–life imbalance and perceived medical errors among nurses in oman: a cluster analysis. Journal of Nursing Management, 30(6), 1530-1539. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13432
Cisco, J. (2019). Exploring the connection between impostor phenomenon and postgraduate students feeling academically-unprepared. Higher Education Research & Development, 39(2), 200-214. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2019.1676198
Clarence, S. (2020). Making visible the affective dimensions of scholarship in postgraduate writing development work. Journal of Praxis in Higher Education, 2(1), 46-62. https://doi.org/10.47989/kpdc63
Field, S. (2024). Exploring the dimensions of responsible research systems and cultures: a scoping review. Royal Society Open Science, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.230624
Guo, J., Chen, Z., & Zheng, B. (2021). Postgraduate competence and academic research performance: the mediating role of psychological capital. Sustainability, 13(11), 6469. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116469
Hansen, T. (2023). Tackling social disconnection: an umbrella review of rct-based interventions targeting social isolation and loneliness.. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3351098/v1
Huang, H., Ding, Y., Liang, Y., Wan, X., Peng, Q., Zhang, Y., … & Chen, C. (2023). The association between perfectionism and academic procrastination among undergraduate nursing students: the role of self‐efficacy and resilience. Nursing Open, 10(10), 6758-6768. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.1922
Jordan, J., Gisondi, M., Buchanavage, J., Diller, D., Pedigo, R., Ahn, J., … & Riddell, J. (2022). Is it worth it? a qualitative analysis of the impact of medical education fellowships on careers. Aem Education and Training, 6(6). https://doi.org/10.1002/aet2.10819
Le, T. T., & Le, X. M. (2022). A decade of researching on professional development in a graduate program: A systematic review. FOSTER: Journal of English Language Teaching, 3(1), 55-68. https://doi.org/10.24256/foster-jelt.v3i1.78
Lee, T., & Lin, L. (2022). Motivational strategies adopted in postgraduate english academic writing courses: perspectives of doctoral students. Sage Open, 12(4), 215824402211382. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221138259
Liu, X., Peng, L., Wang, Z., Zeng, P., Mi, Y., & Xu, H. (2023). Effects of interpersonal sensitivity on depressive symptoms in postgraduate students during the covid-19 pandemic: psychological capital and sleep quality as mediators. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1100355
McGregor, G., &Bartle, E. (2019). The creation and trial of a serious game to support teaching and learning of professional psychology competencies in postgraduate programs. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology. https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.4237
Miranti, M., Handajani, S., Astuti, N., Luthfiati, D., Aini, A., & Ngelambong, A. (2022). Examining attributes affecting thesis completion among undergraduate students. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 12(11). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v12-i11/14756
Mishra, B. (2023). Unveiling the mediating role of psychological well-being on the relationship between social connections and cognition: a study of indian old-age homes.. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3752200/v1
Mishra, B., Pradhan, J., & Dhaka, S. (2023). Identifying the impact of social isolation and loneliness on psychological well-being among the elderly in india: the mediating role of gender, marital status, and education.. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2620380/v1
Moss, R., Gorczynski, P., Sims‐Schouten, W., Heard-Lauréote, K., & Creaton, J. (2021). Mental health and wellbeing of postgraduate researchers: exploring the relationship between mental health literacy, help-seeking behaviour, psychological distress, and wellbeing. Higher Education Research & Development, 41(4), 1168-1183. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2021.1906210
Nambudiri, R., Shaik, R., & Ghulyani, S. (2019). Student personality and academic achievement: mediating role of psychological capital (PsyCap). International Journal of Educational Management, 34, 767-781. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijem-12-2018-0385.
Noel, J., Wambua, B., & Ssentamu, P. (2021). Invest in research supervision, enhance timely completion of postgraduate studies. RMC Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2(1), 35-47. https://doi.org/10.46256/rmcjsochum.v2i1.124
Ooi, H., Hamzah, A., & Thien, L. (2023). The influence of social support on postgraduate students' psychological well-being: self-esteem as a mediator. Participatory Educational Research, 10(3), 150-166. https://doi.org/10.17275/per.23.49.10.3
Petrosyan, S., & Chernysheva, N. (2020). Current problems of modern postgraduate education. Subtropical and Ornamental Horticulture, (72), 24-37. https://doi.org/10.31360/2225-3068-2020-72-17-24
Puntil, D., Dias, G., Kralj, C., Deplessis, C., Rylance-Watson, E., Carol, H., … & Zunszain, P. (2022). Connecting postgraduate students and older adults in the community to support wellbeing: a service-learning module during covid-19 and beyond. Student Success, 13(3), 20-28. https://doi.org/10.5204/ssj.2481
Rahman, D. (2019). The development and validation of the thesis-writing procrastination scale.. https://doi.org/10.32698/hum0197
Reeves, A., Bischoff, A., Yates, B., Brauer, D., & Baranger, A. (2022). A pilot graduate student-led near-peer mentorship program for transfer students provides a supportive network at an r1 institution. Journal of Chemical Education, 100(1), 134-142. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.2c00427
Saputra, M., & Palupi, L. (2020). Relationship between social support and psychological well-being of the final year students. E3s Web of Conferences, 202, 12027. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202020212027
Schutter, N., Koorevaar, L., Holwerda, T., Stek, M., Dekker, J., & Comijs, H. (2019). ‘big five’ personality characteristics are associated with loneliness but not with social network size in older adults, irrespective of depression. International Psychogeriatrics, 32(1), 53-63. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1041610219000231
Stojic, G. V., & Nikolajevic, A. Z. (2022). Postgraduate (master's) studies at the group for sociology of the faculty of philosophy in NIS. Yearbook for Sociology, 18(28), 135-159. https://doi.org/10.46630/gsoc.28.2022.06
Su, Y., Rao, W., Li, M., Caron, G., D’Arcy, C., & Meng, X. (2022). Prevalence of loneliness and social isolation among older adults during the covid-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Psychogeriatrics, 35(5), 229-241. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1041610222000199
Thangavel, G., Memedi, M., & Hedström, K. (2022). Customized information and communication technology for reducing social isolation and loneliness among older adults: scoping review. Jmir Mental Health, 9(3), e34221. https://doi.org/10.2196/34221
Waters, J., Westaby, C., Fowler, A., & Phillips, J. (2020). The emotional labour of doctoral criminological researchers. Methodological Innovations, 13(2), 205979912092567. https://doi.org/10.1177/2059799120925671
Williams, C., Townson, A., Kapur, M., Ferreira, A., Nunn, R., Galante, J., … & Usher‐Smith, J. (2021). Interventions to reduce social isolation and loneliness during covid-19 physical distancing measures: a rapid systematic review. Plos One, 16(2), e0247139. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0247139
Yue, J., & Chen, G. (2020). Competence of pharmacy mentors: a survey of the perceptions of pharmacy postgraduates and their mentors. BMC Medical Education, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-020-02188-0
Zhang, S., Deng, X., Xin, Z., Xuebin, C., & Hou, J. (2022). The relationship between postgraduates’ emotional intelligence and well-being: the chain mediating effect of social support and psychological resilience. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.865025
Published
2024-07-31
How to Cite
TUMIRAN, Mohd Amzari; BAHRI, Sumaiyah.
Dark Psychology in Postgraduate Thesis Development.
International Journal of Advanced Research in Education and Society, [S.l.], v. 6, n. 2, p. 513-524, july 2024.
ISSN 2682-8138.
Available at: <https://myjms.mohe.gov.my/index.php/ijares/article/view/26894>. Date accessed: 19 sep. 2024.
Section
English Section
