The loneliness taboo: Why doing a PhD doesn’t have to be an isolating experience
By Nikki Rubinstein and Christina Tuke Flanders
As a current PhD candidate, I know that doing a research degree can be an incredibly lonely undertaking. When things get tough, it’s up to you - and only you - to pull yourself through and grasp for the next hopeful idea. You often find yourself re-doing the same things over and over again. My supervisor likes to say that’s why it’s called RE-search. But that feeling of banging your head against a wall can be an extremely demoralising and isolating experience. Especially if you have no one to share it with.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RSMzUsZolI
We often hear about illnesses like heart disease, cancer, stroke - but what about loneliness? Is being lonely just something you need to ‘pull yourself out of’ or does it have more far-reaching effects? Should loneliness join the physical ailments in our discussions on health?
A recent study conducted at Brigham Young University suggests that the answer is yes; loneliness is detrimental to our health. In fact, results revealed that on average loneliness increases mortality rates by between 26-30%! Worryingly, they noted that social factors were a greater predictor for mortality in non-elderly populations. I’m concerned since I would definitely count myself among the non-elderly category.
As a critical thinker, you may be saying: “this is only a single study, the results can’t be that impressive”. So let me tell you, this research study comprised a meta-analysis of 70 journal articles, totaling almost 3.5 million study participants! It is the largest study of its kind and not to be ignored.
If I haven’t yet convinced you that loneliness is a major health concern, let me add that loneliness can have detrimental effects on sleep, self esteem, cortisol levels and general cognitive functioning, as well as acting as a risk factor for other potentially-debilitating mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. So now that we’re on the same page about loneliness being a health concern, what can we do about it? Well, I’m so glad that you asked!
ResBaz conference attendees connecting and making friends
The best way to combat loneliness is with social contact. But beware: not all social contact is equally beneficial. Have you ever been in a room full of people and felt utterly alone? If you have, you’ll know what I mean about social contact not being enough on its own to stave off loneliness.
Rather than heading to Flinders Street at peak hour, humans need social contact that provides real value. What do I mean by value? Something very different to the bargain bin at K-Mart. I mean anything that creates a sense of belonging, or a sense of community. While I’m in the process of defining terms, I’d like to introduce you to the concept of social capital. This term describes the relationship networks that allow a society to function effectively. Social capital includes networks such as volunteering associations, friendship networks, religious communities and hobby club activities.
Wake up to Yoga! at the ResBaz 2015 conference
Our best defense against loneliness is through rich social capital. Within the university environment, this can be found through clubs, departmental friendships and - the more recent addition - the Research Bazaar (or ResBaz). ResBaz is the community building arm of Research Platforms (a service department within Infrastructure University services). The beauty of ResBaz is that it is run by researchers for researchers.
Having an intimate knowledge of the trials of doing a research degree, ResBaz Research Community Coordinators seek to offer researchers a haven where they can meet like-minded people and find support for difficult-to-master digital tools. Some ResBaz activities include (but are not limited to): training workshops, digital tool speed dating, games nights and lunchtime craft sessions. Did I mention that these are all free?
Research Community Coordinators with attendees at the ResBaz 2016 conference
Psychologist, Dr Christina Tuke Flanders, has recently come on board at ResBaz as a Training Consultant. I asked her what are the other benefits of being part of a community like ResBaz? She has observed that: "a community like ResBaz facilitates feelings of connectedness by building relationships with peers and enhancing a sense of belonging.”
She added, “In Psychology we talk about protective factors that promote positive mental health. Firstly, building relationships like students do at ResBaz can act as a buffer from feelings of alienation and anxiety. Secondly, having a place that students can visit like the CoLab space in Old Quad engenders a sense of belonging. Belonging gives a person a sense of purpose, meaning, and social control; all which are contributors to positive mental health.” Dr Tuke Flanders reflected: “I recall that my doctoral research was a rather lonely existence. I would have loved to have access to a place like the CoLab to access mentors who could help me with the digital tools for my research. I hope more students take advantage of this service.”
My interview with Christina
ResBaz is an all-inclusive community, focussed on enriching the social capital of the university for researchers. ResBaz is located in the CoLab working space, Room G07, The Old Quadrangle. Come by for a drink and a chat, and let’s do our bit to reduce the degree of isolation within the university environment.
ResBaz 2015 conference attendees in the Old Quad
