Mental Health and Academic Trajectory: the Impact of Stress, 'Imposter' Phenomenon and Supervision on the Attrition Intention of Greek Doctoral Candidates

This qualitative study investigates the lived experiences of doctoral candidates in Greece, focusing on the intersection of mental health, academic progress, and attrition intention. Utilizing the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model, the research explores how high-pressure academic requirements—such as writing volume and deadlines—contribute to burnout and systematic thoughts of quitting. Through semi-structured interviews with 20 candidates, the study highlights the prevalence of the Imposter Phenomenon, where subjective feelings of inadequacy undermine professional identity. Results underscore supervision quality as a catalytic factor; while supportive mentorship enhances resilience and provides professional validation, poor collaboration intensifies isolation and stress. Furthermore, the study identifies self-compassion and digital social support networks as vital personal coping mechanisms. The findings suggest a need for Greek universities to institutionalize specialized psychological support and supervisor training to bridge existing research gaps and foster a more sustainable academic environment.