Intention To Drop Out Of The Course Among Students Of Stricto Sensu Postgraduate Programs In Brazil
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21713/rbpg.v20i41.2476Keywords:
intention to drop out of the course, mental health, academic stressors, stricto sensu postgraduate studentsAbstract
Despite the increasing number of stricto sensu education programs, many students do not complete their courses, which negatively impacts students, universities, and society. The aim of this study was to comparatively analyze the frequency and predictors of course dropout intention among stricto sensu master's and doctoral students. The sample consisted of 859 students, 492 master's students, and 367 doctoral students. We collected the data online using an electronic platform. A questionnaire on sociodemographic and academic data, a single item on Intention to drop out of the course, a single item on Satisfaction with the graduate program, DASS-21 Scale (Depression, Anxiety, Stress), Stressor Scale for Graduate Students (Difficulties with the advisor or with the guidance process, Difficulties in balancing studies, work and personal life, Academic demands and performance pressures in graduate school, Financial uncertainty and economic sustainability in graduate school) were made available. Regarding the frequency of the intention to drop out of the course, most students have thought about it at least once, and there is no significant difference between the groups. Regarding the predictors, similarities were found between the groups in the variables Depression and in the Guidance dimension of academic stressors. The groups differed in terms of satisfaction with the postgraduate program, current semester of the course, predictors for the master's degree, and the dimension of Reconciliation of academic stressors in the doctoral group. The results indicate the need for differentiated actions for both groups.
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