ERIC Number: EJ1442566
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Jul
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-2158-2440
What Makes an International Student in the U.S. Have Less Psychological Distress?
Kirsten Calleja Salerno; Ma. Teresa Tuason; Bridget Stanton; Sara Buchanan
SAGE Open, v14 n3 2024
This study aims to identify which factors predict psychological distress among international college students attending American universities. International students experience unique stressors, as well as bring with them their own enculturation: culture of origin identity, language, and competence when acculturating. To get a comprehensive picture, we collected survey data on demographics, acculturation, stress, anxiety, depression, and symptomatology from N = 146 college students (n = 51 international students; n = 95 U.S. citizens) from three universities in the southeastern United States. For international students, increased acculturation to the U.S. (English proficiency and culture competence) is related to decreased symptomatology and anxiety. Additionally, international students' competencies in culture of origin are significantly associated with competencies in U.S. acculturation. Regression analyses indicated that among international students, higher U.S. acculturation and lower stress, significantly predicted less anxiety; lower stress significantly predicted less symptomatology. Implications for higher education and future research are discussed.
Descriptors: College Faculty, Foreign Students, Stress Variables, Stress Management, Student Experience, Acculturation, Anxiety, Depression (Psychology), Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Language Proficiency, Student Adjustment, Linguistic Competence, Coping
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2993
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A