Acculturative stress and native and U.S. culture immersion of international students at a community college

Abstract

Research shows that international college students experience high levels of acculturative stress, which can adversely impact their health and college success. The levels of immersion in one’s native culture and the culture of the U.S. may impact levels of acculturative stress in international students. This cross-sectional study examined community college international students (n = 243). Immersion in a student’s native culture was positively associated with acculturative stress, while immersion in the U.S. culture was negatively associated with acculturative stress. Students who spoke English as their first language and whose families moved to the United States experienced lower levels of acculturative stress. The results of the study imply that some international students may require more support in order to succeed in their college environment.

Cultural Distance, Acculturative Stress, Functional Social Support, and Psychological Adaptation of International Students

“…Language proficiency. Research has consistently linked language proficiency to psychological adaptation outcomes among international students (Bodycott, 2015;Demes & Geeraert, 2015;Hansen, Shneyderman, McNamara, & Grace, 2018;Li et al, 2014;Luo, Wu, Fang, & Brunsting, 2019;Sümer et al, 2008). J.…”

Contributors to the Successful Transfer of International Community College Students

“…Similar to Anayah (2012) and Hansen et al (2018), Cohen (2007) argues that the socio cultural experience of international students is complicated by many challenges that can have a negative impact their academic performances.…”

“…It is harder for international students from non-English speaking countries to become immersed in the American culture. As a result, they experience a higher level of acculturative stress than native speakers (Hansen et al, 2018). Based on the findings, Hansen et al (2018) recommend the creation of a positive campus climate and intentional support for international students from non-English speaking countries to mitigate the adverse impacts of the culture shock and improve the experience of international students.…”

“…Socio-Cultural Experiences. International students, regardless of their national origin, experience a complicated cultural adjustment process (Hansen, Shneyderman, McNamara & Grace, 2018). Hansen et al (2018) evaluated the levels of culture engagement and acculturative stress in a group of international students at a large community college in New York City.…”

“…International students, regardless of their national origin, experience a complicated cultural adjustment process (Hansen, Shneyderman, McNamara & Grace, 2018). Hansen et al (2018) evaluated the levels of culture engagement and acculturative stress in a group of international students at a large community college in New York City. They found that during the acculturation process many international students experience alienation and marginalization, which can limit their abilities to form friendships and focus on academic work.…”