Cultivating the Well-Being of Ph.D. Students in Early Childhood Education Through Mindfulness

Abstract

The pursuit of a Ph.D. is a demanding journey that requires doctoral students to prioritize their well-being and be mindful of their response to pressure. Mindfulness practice has shown to be effective in reducing stress and enhancing overall well-being. The current study explores the impact of an 8-week mindfulness program on the well-being of Ph.D. students in early childhood education. Four participants engaged in daily mindfulness sessions and meditations using the Healthy Minds Program application. Results indicate that mindfulness practice had a positive impact on participants’ awareness and attention, emotional intelligence and regulation, stress and anxiety levels, and compassion levels. The findings suggest that mindfulness practice can be a valuable tool for doctoral students in managing the challenges of their program and supporting their emotional well-being. While this study yields promising results, it is important to acknowledge its limitations such as small sample size and mixed outcomes, which may limit our understanding.