International Students and Mental Health

Abstract

Since the early 2000s, reports of increased rates of mental ill health among young people worldwide have received much attention. Several studies indicate a greater incidence of mental health problems among tertiary students, compared with the general population, and higher levels of anxiety, in particular, among international students compared with domestic students. Australia is host to many thousands of international students of an age when mental illnesses are most likely to surface. However, this issue has received little attention from Australian researchers. This article reports on in-depth interviews with 16 professionals working with international students at an internationalized university.

Social Value Systems and the Mental Health of International Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Nonspecific to the environment created by the pandemic, participants raised factors such as highly independent learning environments, a shortage of formal opportunities outside the classroom for social interaction with others, lacking a sense of belonging and racism as key challenges they have faced whilst studying in Australia. These factors were then also cited as a major cause of participants stressors and worries, a finding consistent with the associations shown in Study 1 as well as previous research (Forbes-Mewett & Sawyer, 2016;Sawir et al, 2008).…”

“…compounded by new and unfamiliar social and academic environments (Weier & Lee, 2016). For international students, mental health concerns have been found to be greater in both occurrence and severity compared to domestic students (Forbes-Mewett & Sawyer, 2016;Forbes-Mewett, 2019). Indeed, within the breadth of challenges faced by international students when relocating to study in a foreign country, mental health issues are among the most prevalent threats to international students' health.…”

“…Indeed, within the breadth of challenges faced by international students when relocating to study in a foreign country, mental health issues are among the most prevalent threats to international students' health. Recent research has shown that international students are at increased risk of experiencing poor mental health, with isolation from families and culture, language barriers, financial stress and academic pressures among the key drivers (Forbes-Mewett & Sawyer, 2016;Norton & Brett, 2011;Orygen, 2017). Such drivers were significantly enhanced by the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led international students across the globe to be forced off campuses and into an online learning environment.…”

“…Forbes-Mewett and Sawyer (2016) consolidate three major issues facing international students who come to study in Australia from Asian contexts, which include the often-unfamiliar academic environment international students are exposed to, the shock of independency; and hesitancies to engage in help seeking behaviors. Further research identifies significant symptoms of loneliness and/or isolation as affecting vast numbers of international students, especially during the early stages in their adopted country (Forbes-Mewett & Sawyer, 2016;Forbes-Mewett & Nyland, 2008;Sawir et al, 2008). Sociological research notes that loneliness can be exacerbated by cultural values and norms relating to coupling and other aspects of relationships (Hofstede et al, 2010).…”

The First Year Acculturation: A Longitudinal Study on Acculturative Stress and Adjustment among the First Year International College Students

“…Research has found that international students encounter difficulties with language barriers, finances, adjustments to a new educational system, social customs and norms, and homesickness (Gold, 2016;Ma, 2020;Mukminin, 2019;Tang et al, 2018;Telbis et al, 2014;Xing & Bolden, 2019). These challenges can impact their mental well-being (Forbes-Mewett & Sawyer, 2016;Koo, Kim, et al, 2021). Researchers estimate that 15%-20% of international students are at risk of experiencing mental health problems due to acculturative stress and acculturation-related problems (Zhang & Goodson, 2011).…”