  PhD students report a higher prevalence of mental illness symptoms than
highly educated individuals in the general population. This situation presents
a serious problem for universities. Thus, the knowledge about this phenomenon
is of great importance in decision-making. In this paper we use the Nature PhD
survey 2019 and estimate several binomial logistic regression models to analyze
the risk of interrupting doctoral studies. This risk is measured through the
desire of change in either the supervisor or the area of expertise, or the wish
of not pursue a PhD. Among the explanatory factors, we focus on the influence
of anxiety/depression, discrimination, and bullying. As control variables we
use demographic characteristics and others related with the doctoral program.
Insufficient contact time with supervisors, and exceeding time spent studying
-crossing the 50-h week barrier-, are risk factors of PhD studies interruption,
but the most decisive risk factor is poor mental health. Universities should
therefore foster an environment of well-being, which allows the development of
autonomy and resilience of their PhD students or, when necessary, which fosters
the development of conflict resolution skills.
