Supervisor-postgraduate relationship and perceived stress: the mediating role of self-efficacy and the moderating role of psychological resilience

Abstract

Background: Postgraduate studies often entail significant stress, which can profoundly affect students' well-being and academic performance. The supervisor-postgraduate relationship plays a pivotal role in shaping stress levels among postgraduate students. This study investigates the mediating role of self-efficacy and the moderating influence of psychological resilience in the link between supervisor-postgraduate relationships and perceived stress in postgraduate students.

Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional research design, conducting a survey among 609 postgraduate students selected through random sampling. The participants, aged between 20 and 53 years (M = 25.14, SD = 3.63), included 265 males and 344 females from various academic stages. Data were collected using validated scales to measure the supervisor-postgraduate relationship, perceived stress, self-efficacy, and psychological resilience. The moderated mediation model analysis was conducted to examine the hypothesized relationships and effects, utilizing SPSS with Hayes' PROCESS macro to validate the statistical interactions.

Results: The results indicated a significant negative association between the supervisor-postgraduate relationship and perceived stress (β=-0.27, p < 0.01), with self-efficacy partially mediating this relationship (β=-0.14, p < 0.01). Additionally, psychological resilience moderated both the direct effect of the supervisor-postgraduate relationship on perceived stress and the indirect effect via self-efficacy (interaction effect β=-0.10, p < 0.01). These findings underscore the roles of self-efficacy and psychological resilience in reducing stress among postgraduate students, highlighting the importance of supportive supervisory relationships.

Conclusions: These findings underscore the critical importance of supportive supervisor-postgraduate relationships and highlight the roles of self-efficacy and resilience in alleviating stress among postgraduate students. This study offers valuable insights for cultivating positive supervisor-postgraduate relationships and enhancing well-being within postgraduate education.

Keywords: Perceived stress; Postgraduate students; Psychological resilience; Self-efficacy; Supervisor-postgraduate relationship.