International student stressors and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

To identify stressors affecting international students' mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Twenty-two international students from 10 countries and 17 US institutions participated. Participants were recruited from a larger study examining the wellbeing of young adults during the pandemi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of American college health 2024-05, Vol.72 (4), p.1027-1033
Main Authors: Zhang, Xiaoqiao, Wong, Ga Tin Finneas, Liu, Cindy H, Hahm, Hyeouk Chris, Chen, Justin A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Affinity
Anxiety - psychology
COVID-19
COVID-19 - epidemiology
COVID-19 - prevention & control
COVID-19 - psychology
Cultural identity
Female
Foreign students
Humans
Male
Medical personnel
Mental Health
Mental health professionals
Pandemics
Psychoeducational treatment
Qualitative Research
Race
Racial identity
Racism
Resilience
SARS-CoV-2
Stress, Psychological - psychology
Students - psychology
Uncertainty
United States - epidemiology
Universities
Xenophobia
Young Adult
Young adults
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Summary:To identify stressors affecting international students' mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Twenty-two international students from 10 countries and 17 US institutions participated. Participants were recruited from a larger study examining the wellbeing of young adults during the pandemic. Four main stressors were identified: (1) Uncertainty and anxiety induced by decisions and policies in response to COVID-19; (2) Fears regarding xenophobia; (3) Limited understanding by educators and school staff of international students' unique challenges; (4) Greater awareness of racial and cultural identity. The pandemic has contributed to additional stressors for international students. Educators and mental health professionals may help support international students' mental health by gaining basic knowledge about common stressors and directly acknowledging the challenges, educating international students on race and racism and supporting anti-racism efforts, and encouraging the creation of shared affinity spaces and increasing psychoeducation to promote resilience.
ISSN:0744-8481
1940-3208
DOI:10.1080/07448481.2022.2068015