1. Danielle Y. Hairston Green, Ph.D. Prairie View A&M University
Assessing Stressors, Health Status, and Lifestyles Among Doctoral Students Attending a Historically Black University: Baseline
Danielle Y. Hairston Green, Ph.D.
Prairie View A&M University
Samuel S. Sampson, Ph.D.
QualQuan Group, LLC

2. My Current Research
Assessing Stressors, Lifestyles, and Health Behaviors of Doctoral Students Attending an Historically Black University.
(Hairston-Green & Sampson)
IRB Protocol #
CAHS Every Step Matters: The Impact of Wearable Technology on the Overall Wellness Goals of Faculty and Staff at an Land Grant Institution.
(Hairston Green & Smith)
IRB Protocol #
Perceptions of Mentoring and Mentoring Relationships Among African American Women Pursuing a Doctoral Degree at a Historically Black College or University.
(Hairston-Green, Finley, Lane, Marion & Sampson)
IRB Protocol #
S.L.A.P. Student Leadership Apprentice Program: The Implementation of a Leadership Development Program for College of Agriculture and Human Sciences Students at an 1890 Land Grant Institution.
(Hairston-Green, Smith & Sampson)
IRB Protocol #

3. “Life changing- personally, professionally, and spiritually.”
IN ONE SENTENCE The Doctoral Experience
Share one sentence to describe your doctoral experience #phdsingles
Brown, ABD, 2011
Johnson, 2012, Ed.D.
Gibbs, Student, 2014
“It has been an emotional roller coaster. When the stress is overwhelming, I focus on my end goal, because I know I will eventually Succeed.”
“Life changing- personally, professionally, and spiritually.”
“It was amazing!”*
Walker, 2016, Ph.D.
Hudson, 1995, Ph.D.
Wolfe, 2015, Ph.D.
“Hectic, Life changing. I learned a lot about myself through the experience, I found out I was mentally strong.”
“ROUGH!”
“Isolating!”

4. BACKGROUND & PURPOSE
By the time students have reached the level of doctoral candidate or doctoral graduate many have simply “flat lined” thus preventing them from prospering post graduation and also paralyzing them at ABD status for years.
African American Doctoral Students are at greater risk due to money, racial climate on campus, and lack of tradition in higher education in family (The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, 2010).

5. BACKGROUND & PURPOSE
The major purpose of this study is to conduct a baseline investigation of self rated health behavior and quality of life among doctoral students and doctoral candidates attending a Historically Black University.

6. Sarah Elizabeth Church
Susan Gardner
“Fitting the Mold of Graduate School: A Qualitative Study of Socialization in Doctoral Education”
LITERATURE TIMELINE
2009
2011
2012
2008
Juniper, Walsh,
Richardson & Morley
Sarah Elizabeth Church
Shanon Munro
“Doctoral Persistence and Doctoral Program Completion Among Nurses”
“Facing Reality: What Are Doctoral Students’ Chances for Success?”
“A New Approach to Evaluating the Well-Being of PhD Research Students”

7. Wesley, Bordfeld & Fingerhut
Myers, Sweeney, Popick,
Wesley, Bordfeld & Fingerhut
LITERATURE TIMELINE
“Self-Care Practices and Perceived Stress Levels Among Psychology Graduate Students”
2013
2012
2016
Terrence Hicks*
Salani, Albuja & Azaiza
“Assessing Life Styles, Stressors and Health Status Among A Predominantly African American On Campus and On Campus Student Population”
“The Keys to Success in Doctoral Studies: A Preimmersion Course”

8. DEMOGRAPHICS N=38 42% 50% 93% 63% 52% 50% Living Condition AGE
½ of the respondents reported living in a home with their own family (i.e. at least a significant other).
DEMOGRAPHICS
AGE
Over 38 Years of age
Source of Income
Percentage of Students receiving financial aid and income from paid employment
42%
50%
93%
63%
52%
50%
Gender
Female Participants
Educational Status
Percentage of Students who are ABD
Marital Status
Students who are Married
N=38
(125 Doctoral Students Enrolled Fall 2016; appropriate sample size of 30%)

9. Difficulty Concentrating 75%
PRELIMINARY FINDINGS
Student Life Stressors
Irritation 80%
Difficulty Concentrating 75%
Tiredness 95%
Anxiety 84%
When participants were asked about their stressors the following was revealed (A little, Quite a lot, A lot):
Tiredness
Anxiety
Irritation
Concentrating

10. Problems with Professors 64% Not Coping Academically
PRELIMINARY FINDINGS
Problems with Professors 64%
Not Coping Academically
74%
Student Life Stressors
Poor Finances 64%
Family Problems 55%
When participants were asked about their life stressors the following was revealed (Slightly stressed, A little Stressed, Highly Stressed):
Academics
Professors
Finances
Family

11. Psychosomatic Symptoms
PRELIMINARY FINDINGS
Psychosomatic Symptoms
12%
Prescription Drugs
36%
Health Status
Chronic Disease 16%
Temporary Disease 8%
When participants were asked about their health status the following was revealed:
Prescription Drugs
Chronic Disease (More than a month)
Psychosomatic Symptoms
Temporary Disease (Less than a month)

12. Educated: HIV/STD Sexually Active Condom Use Use of illegal Drugs
PRELIMINARY FINDINGS
Lifestyles
Sexually Active 95%
Educated: HIV/STD 65%
No Condom Use
100%
Illegal Drug Use
12%
When participants were asked about their lifestyle the following was revealed:
Educated: HIV/STD
Sexually Active
Condom Use
Use of illegal Drugs

13. WELL BEING ASSESSMENTS STRESS MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
Key Considerations
WELL BEING ASSESSMENTS
These assessments are a useful tool for those concerned with optimizing the doctoral experience among students.
STRESS MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
It is hoped that this new generation of professors will implement what has worked during their own course of study and will change practices and remove obstacles that have caused others to leave programs without a degree.

14. POTENTIAL BENEFITS
The results of the study can help higher education professionals and health prevention specialists understand the relationship between health behaviors, stress levels, and academic achievement among doctoral students and candidates.
This information can also help an institution identify a subgroup of doctoral students and candidates who are at particular risk for certain health issues that could contribute to long term ABD status.

15. Danielle Y. Hairston Green, Ph.D.
Thank you!
Danielle Y. Hairston Green, Ph.D.