ERIC Number: EJ1402050
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0306-9885
EISSN: EISSN-1469-3534
The Effectiveness of a Five-Session Workshop on the Distress of International Students in Finland - A Pilot Study
Brandolin, Francesca; Lappalainen, Päivi; Gorinelli, Simone; Muotka, Joona; Räsänen, Panajiota; Lappalainen, Raimo
British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, v51 n6 p865-882 2023
The mental health of international students has become a concern, as they face high levels of psychological distress. We designed a five-week acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) workshop with two additional individual assessment meetings. The intervention aimed at helping international students attending a Finnish university to reduce their symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety, and enhance skills of psychological flexibility. The post-assessment was conducted seven weeks after the pre-measurement. Using data from 53 participants, an evaluation indicated that statistically and clinically significant reductions in symptoms were observed, and the workshop was well received. Regression analyses revealed that changes in psychological inflexibility, mindfulness, and value-based living acted as predictors of change in symptoms. Furthermore, changes in these psychological skills predicted changes in different kinds of distress. This study suggests that a brief group intervention might be a feasible alternative for enhancing the psychological well-being of international students.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Mental Health, Foreign Students, Stress Variables, Therapy, Workshops, Intervention, College Students, Stress Management, Depression (Psychology), Anxiety, Psychological Patterns, Program Effectiveness, Well Being
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Finland
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A