7. Discussion
This explanatory sequential mixed method study sought to examine and understand the effects of participating in a writing retreat on doctoral researchers’ occupational mental health. Our study was among the first to use an experimental design, supplemented by a waitlist control trial group, to measure the effects of such an intervention in the field of higher education. The quantitative results demonstrate the beneficial effects of participating in a writing retreat in reducing doctoral psychological distress and enhancing doctoral psychological, emotional, and social wellbeing. The qualitative findings further shed light on the perceived explanations of these effects, specifically highlighting the role of productivity and socialization/networking experienced during the intervention. These findings carry substantial implications, paving the way for valuable recommendations to foster doctoral mental health.