Connecting the dots: Exploring the association between perceived discrimination and physical and psychological well-being among doctoral trainees and postdoctoral fellows in biomedical fields.

Graduate trainees and postdoctoral fellows in biomedical sciences face significant challenges that affect their physical and mental health. Among these, perceived discrimination has emerged as a critical factor that undermines well-being and negatively impacts trainees' sense of belonging, career persistence, and retention. This study examined the association between perceived discrimination and trainees' physical, social, and psychological well-being, as well as their sense of belonging in lab and department settings. Latent profile analysis identified three profiles of trainees based on perceived discrimination: Low Perception of Discrimination (LPD), Mixed Perception of Discrimination (MPD; low in the lab, high in the department), and High Perception of Discrimination (HPD). Results showed that physical and social health were better in the LPD and MPD profiles than in the HPD profile. However, burnout and mental health challenges were greater in both the MPD and HPD profiles compared to the LPD profile. Sense of belonging in the lab was higher for the LPD and MPD profiles, while departmental belonging was significantly lower for the MPD and HPD profiles compared to the LPD profile. These findings highlight the impact of department-based discrimination on mental well-being and belonging. By incorporating additional measures, such as disruptiveness, coping confidence, and perceived reasons for discrimination, this study provides a deeper understanding of how perceived discrimination relates to well-being and highlights the value of latent profile analysis in capturing nuanced patterns and their demographic associations.