A Qualitative Study of Psychosocial Safety Experiences Among Early-Career Academicians in India

Abstract

Academia has traditionally been viewed as one of the most well-balanced fields, offering lower work-related stress. However, in recent times, this perception has shifted dramatically due to increased workload arising from heightened demands for research, PhD supervision, and an ongoing battle against various forms of technical, mental, and emotional strain, particularly in the private sector. The focus of the study is to understand the experiences of academicians working in the Private sector. The study included a sample of 12 academicians (5 males and 7females) aged between 21-32 years. Data was collected through short, semi-structured interviews with the help of open-ended questions. The study aimed to analyse participants’ experiences of psychosocial safety in universities. Ten global themes emerged in thematic analysis, which included experiences of being in an unhealthy and hostile work environment exploitative and unfair work policies and practises, ignorance of psychosocial needs, micro aggressive behaviours and discriminatory practises, longing for work life amalgamation, presence of culture of isolation and emotional neglect, organisational apathy in action towards a dresser of mental health yearning for appreciation recognition and rewards, self-censorship of psychological issues Need for inclusive supportive practises. The study has implications for psychosocial safety challenges faced by early-career academics.