More than Depression: Doctoral Students’ Mental Health in China: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The mental health of doctoral students is a critical concern in higher education. Despite growing research attention, Chinese-language scholarship remains underrepresented in international academic discourse because of language barriers. This study systematically reviewed Chinese-language empirical research on doctoral students’ mental health to summarize current findings and provide a comprehensive account of research trends. Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched three major Chinese databases (CNKI, cqVIP, and Wanfang Data) from inception through December 2023. A content analysis examined research characteristics, methods, and findings across 35 eligible studies. A meta-analysis synthesized SCL-90 data from five studies comparing doctoral students with master’s students, Chinese population norms, and Chinese youth norms using random-effects models. The content analysis revealed a three-stage evolution of the field: emergence (2005–2011), consolidation (2012–2017), and diversification (2018–2023), with increasing methodological sophistication and attention to vulnerable subgroups. The meta-analysis clarified inconsistent findings from individual studies, showing small differences between doctoral and master’s students but more widespread symptom elevations relative to Chinese population and youth norms. Interpersonal sensitivity showed the most consistent elevation across all comparisons, particularly relative to youth norms, followed by depression and somatization. Implications for practice, research gaps, and directions for future research are discussed.