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

Abstract

Australian universities are understood to have the highest number of international students per capita worldwide. The sector contributes over $40 billion to the national economy and sustains many thousands of jobs. Despite their importance to the Australian economy and society, international students are often overlooked in mainstream health promotion and support services. Of the many difficulties and hardships international students experience, mental health presents a significant problem. Evidence indicates that the mental health of international students was declining before the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in Australia. The impact of the pandemic appears to have exacerbated this issue. Our findings from an online survey (n=135) and semi-structured interviews (n=20) reinforce the importance of international students maintaining close social connections for optimizing their mental health. They also bring clarity to the challenges students from highly socially engaged (collectivistic) cultures face, when studying in individualistic environments like Australia amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on International Students in a Public University in the United States: Academic and Non-academic Challenges

“…Similar to a recent study among international students in Australian universities where declining mental health was one of the issues reported among students due to the pandemic (Humphrey & Forbes-Mewett, 2021), mental health was the second top non-academic challenge identified in this study. Increasing awareness about counseling and health services available through campus and community organizations is recommended.…”

Exploring the Psychological Impacts of COVID-19 Social Restrictions on International University Students: A Qualitative Study

“…The retention of existing international students, and attraction of new students will be paramount for the future sustainability of global academic institutions. Further, research has identified a need to explore the concerns and experiences of international students during the COVID-19 outbreak [3,21,22]. According to the Student Covid Insights Survey (SCIS) conducted by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health and well-being of over 50% of students in higher education in England [23].…”

Mental health consequences of COVID-19 pandemic among college students and coping approaches adapted by higher education institutions: A scoping review

“…Before we look at some further recommendations for the reopening of colleges, some prerequisites must be adopted (Herpich; The Jed Foundation, 2020 ; National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, 2020 ; Borwankar, 2020 ; Humphrey and Forbes- Mewett, 2021 ; Saha et al, 2021 ; Chaturvedi et al, 2021 ; Sustarsic and Zhang, 2021 ; Gomes and Forbes- Mewett, 2021 ). Though colleges/universities are educational institutes, the focus should not be restricted to strategizing only for educational curriculum but also students' mental well-being.…”