This dataset includes survey data on a two stage study on coping behavior in predoctoral researchers primarily located in Europe and the UK. It uses the Brief COPE instrument and others to assess acceptance-focused, emotion-focused, active, and dysfunctional coping and a wide array of self-reported outcomes.

This dataset contains item-level survey responses from 185 doctoral students (167 complete cases) on coping strategies, academic self-efficacy, life satisfaction, employee voice, self-rated performance, and support-seeking efficacy. Data were collected via a self-administered bilingual (English/Spanish) online questionnaire during November–December 2025. The dataset accompanies a PLS-PM analysis examining differential associations between four types of coping — acceptance-focused, emotion-focused, other active, and dysfunctional — and multiple doctoral outcomes. The associated R script reproduces all analyses reported in the publication. See the codebook (Codebook_PeerHD.docx) for variable descriptions, item text, and response scales.

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support for this research from the Institute for Professional Development of the University of Barcelona (Institut de Desenvolupament Professional de la Universitat de Barcelona): (Convocatòria d’ajuts a la recerca en docència universitària REDICE-24 de 21 de març de 2024: (REDICE24-3710)