This paper probes the two fundamental questions: 1) how do research
stressors, related to PhD research in general and to fieldwork in
particular, transform into stress for doctoral researchers; and 2) how
can peers assist in stress prevention and stress mitigation? The paper
dissects the existing literature at conceptual, theoretical and
practical levels. To provide a theoretical framework by which research
stressors can be identified in doctoral researchers, we first combine
the Demand-Resource (D-R) model with Conservation of Resource (COR)
theory. We argue that this catalysed theoretical framework provides more
effective primary mechanisms to identify stress in doctoral
researchers. Secondly, drawing on Social Support Theory, we develop a
peer support model of stress prevention and stress mitigation through
four types of peer support: 1) informational; 2) emotional; 3)
instrumental; and 4) social companionship. Thirdly, the
socio-psychological mechanisms underlying Social Support Theory through
which peer support can assist in pre- and post-stress situations are
analysed to strengthen the explanatory power and practical usefulness of
the proposed peer support model. The paper argues that researchers that
actively develop a wider spread of peer support in accordance with our
peer support model are more likely to cope with the research-related
stress effectively during and after their projects and challenging
fieldwork.