From way across the sea: Information overload and international students during the <scp>COVID</scp>‐19 pandemic

Chang, Shanton; McKay, Dana; Caidi, Nadia; Mendoza, Antonette; Gomes, Catherine; Dedeoglu, Cansu E.

doi:10.1002/pra2.289

Cited by 14 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 18 publications

(21 reference statements)

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“…Distrust in the government's preventive measures and guidelines were also observed in students studying in the U.K. ( 8 ) and U.S. ( 9 ). Furthermore, the potential of information overload (both correct and incorrect information) and being away from central social support systems such as family and friends during the pandemic can be greatly challenging ( 10 ). International students may have felt more isolated compared to local students due to different cultural, economic or language barriers and additional stress from lockdowns, closed borders, and difficulties securing air tickets to fly home which was perceived as (and was in fact) safer.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Phenomenological Study on the Positive and Negative Experiences of Chinese International University Students From Hong Kong Studying in the U.K. and U.S. in the Early Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic

et al. 2021

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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused distress in students globally. The mental health of international students studying abroad has been neglected during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially Chinese students who have been unfairly targeted.Objective: To explore and document the positive and negative experiences of a group of Hong Kong Chinese international students studying in the U.K. and U.S. from an insider perspective in the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: The qualitative study used four 1.5-h online focus group interviews of 20 Chinese international students from Hong Kong aged 18 or older studying in universities in the United Kingdom or the United States, from 3 May to 12 May 2020. A framework approach with a semi-structured interview guide was used to reflect students' stressors, cognitive appraisals, coping, and outcomes (negative impacts and positive gains), in the early stages of COVID-19. Different strategies were used to ensure the credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability of the study. Transcripts were analyzed using qualitative thematic content analysis.Results: Twenty full-time international University students (60% female, 90% aged 18–25 years and 65% undergraduates) were recruited. Students reported (i) stress from personal (e.g., worries about health and academic attainment), interpersonal (e.g., perceived prejudice and lack of social support), and environmental factors (e.g., uncertainties about academic programme and unclear COVID-19-related information); (ii) significant differences in culture and cognitive appraisal in the levels of perceived susceptibility and severity; (iii) positive thinking and using alternative measures in meeting challenges, which included effective emotion and problem coping strategies, and the importance of support from family, friends and schools; and (iv) negative psychological impact (e.g., worries and stress) and positive personal growth in crisis management and gains in family relationships.Conclusions: With the rise in sinophobia and uncertain developments of the pandemic, proactive support from government and academic institutions are urgently needed to reduce stress and promote the well-being of international students, especially Chinese students in the U.K. and U.S. Clear information, public education and policies related to the pandemic, appropriate academic arrangements from universities and strong support systems play important roles in maintaining students' psychological health.Clinical Trial Registration: The study was registered with the National Institutes of Health (https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier: NCT04365361).

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Phenomenological Study on the Positive and Negative Experiences of Chinese International University Students From Hong Kong Studying in the U.K. and U.S. in the Early Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic

et al. 2021

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“…Despite social media platforms being a much-used alternative source of information on COVID-19 among the migrants in this paper, studies suggest that social media platforms also have the potential to disseminate inaccurate information [22,23]. Furthermore, it has been suggested that increased use of digital tools to get COVID-19-related information, and the use of many diverse platforms, can lead to information overload, increasing the risk of important information to be ignored or forgotten [24].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

“I Just Want Some Clear Answers”: Challenges and Tactics Adopted by Migrants in Denmark When Accessing Health Risk Information about COVID-19

Brønholt

Primdahl

Jensen

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Health risk communication plays a crucial role in preventing the spread of infectious disease outbreaks such as the current coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Yet, migrants are far too often forgotten in health risk communication responses. We investigate the challenges and efforts made by migrants in Denmark—in the initial months of the pandemic—to access information about COVID-19. We draw on 18 semi-structured interviews conducted in May and June 2020. All interviews are thematically coded and analyzed. Our analysis reveals that many of the migrants faced several challenges, including accessing information in a language understandable to them and navigating constant streams of official news flows issuing instructions about which actions to take. However, we also note that the participating migrants found numerous creative ways to address some of these challenges, often aided by digital tools, helping them access crucial health and risk information. This paper highlights that migrants constitute an underserved group in times of crises. They are vulnerable to getting left behind in pandemic communication responses. However, we also identify key protective factors, social resources, and agentic capabilities, which help them cope with health and risk information deficits. National governments need to take heed of these findings to inform future pandemic responses.

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“…Several authors indicated that information overload was one of the main challenges during the pandemic (Chang et al, 2020;Zeng et al, 2020).…”

Section: Usersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Crisis Situations and Information Science. Selected Issues in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Wiorogorska

2020

ZIN

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Purpose/Thesis: This paper attempts to organize and systematize scholarly literature on the issues relating to the current global health crisis published by information science scholars and professionals, as well as on the information science-related initiatives undertaken to provide access to reliable and valid information in crisis situations. Approach/Methods: A critical review of selected literature, as well as observation and a descriptive analysis of websites and web platforms were conducted to establish the thematic corpus. Results and conclusions: Even though the topic is recent, several subfields of information science have already been the subject of studies conducted in different parts of the world. It may imply that information science scholars and professionals react quickly to change and they are aware of the fact that their discipline may play an important role during crisis situations. This role may involve facilitating better management in future crises if they do happen. Research limitations: Since the topic is new and the situation is dynamic, new research results, or online projects are being issued almost on a daily basis. Hence, it can be assumed that shortly after its publication, this paper will not present the current state of the art anymore. Originality/Value: First scholarly publications on the issues relating to the current global health crisis appeared in early Spring 2020. According to the author’s knowledge, no summary has been published that would systematize and classify the publications and other initiatives from the information science field.

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From way across the sea: Information overload and international students during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Cited by 14 publications

References 18 publications

A Phenomenological Study on the Positive and Negative Experiences of Chinese International University Students From Hong Kong Studying in the U.K. and U.S. in the Early Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic

A Phenomenological Study on the Positive and Negative Experiences of Chinese International University Students From Hong Kong Studying in the U.K. and U.S. in the Early Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic

“I Just Want Some Clear Answers”: Challenges and Tactics Adopted by Migrants in Denmark When Accessing Health Risk Information about COVID-19

Crisis Situations and Information Science. Selected Issues in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

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