Role of Social Support, Hardiness, and Acculturation as Predictors of Mental Health among International Students of Asian Indian Origin

Abstract

This study determined the role of social support, hardiness, and acculturation as predictors of mental health among international Asian Indian students enrolled at two large public universities in Ohio. A sample of 185 students completed a 75-item online instrument assessing their social support levels, acculturation, hardiness, and their mental health. Regression analyses were conducted to test for variance in mental health attributable to each of the three independent variables. The final regression model revealed that the belonging aspect of social support, acculturation and prejudice of acculturation scale, and commitment and control of hardiness were all predictive of mental health (R2 = 0.523). Recommendations have been offered to develop interventions that will help strengthen the social support, hardiness, and acculturation of international students and help improve their mental health. Recommendations for development of future Web-based studies also are offered.

A review of the acculturation experiences of international students

“…These findings are consistent with studies demonstrating a negative association between social support and psychological distress (including acculturative stress, depression, and anxiety) (Dao, et al, 2007;Poyrazli, et al, 2004;Sumer, et al, 2008;J. Zhang & Goodson, 2011); and a positive association with psychological well-being (Atri, et al, 2006). In contrast, a study of 74 Korean international students in the U.S.A found that social support did not have a direct effect on international students' mental health symptoms (J.-S. Lee, et al, 2004).…”

Job satisfaction, work environment and intention to leave among migrant nurses working in a publicly funded tertiary hospital

“…This may be because the availability of stable jobs fulfilled migrant nurses' initial intentions to migrate (Atri et al . , Kingma , Djukic et al . ).…”

“…Overall, the study found that the job satisfaction level of migrant nurses was high. This may be because the availability of stable jobs fulfilled migrant nurses' initial intentions to migrate (Atri et al 2006, Kingma 2008, Djukic et al 2010. Compared with Filipino, Malaysian and Indian migrant nurses, Chinese migrant nurses had the lowest levels of job satisfaction.…”

Adjustment Issues of International Students Enrolled in American Colleges and Universities: A Review of the Literature

“…Additionally, reported that greater familial and graduate social support reduced international students' stress level. Atri, Sharma, and Cottrell (2007) found in their study that one type of social support, namely, emotional support, was significantly related to sojourners' mental health. Relatedly, findings from Dao et al (2007) indicated that "Taiwanese international students who were at risk of depressive feelings were more likely to be those who had the perception of limited social support" (p. 287).…”