Mental Health Problems of Chinese International College Students in the United States

Research Article
Open access

Mental Health Problems of Chinese International College Students in the United States

Yanling Chen 1*
  • 1 University College London    
  • *corresponding author Stnv523@ucl.ac.uk
Published on 26 October 2023 | https://doi.org/10.54254/2753-7048/18/20231312
LNEP Vol.18
ISSN (Print): 2753-7056
ISSN (Online): 2753-7048
ISBN (Print): 978-1-83558-061-5
ISBN (Online): 978-1-83558-062-2​

Abstract

Mental health problems are prevalent among students in American universities and colleges, particularly among those from other countries or regions. Despite considerable research on the relatively high prevalence of mental health problems among international college students and potential reasons they under-utilize student support services, little is known about the mental health experiences of students from China to study in the United States. This paper provides insight into the challenges and interventions surrounding the mental health problems of college students from China to study in the United States. This paper provides a synthesis of available findings and addresses the factors triggering mental health issues experienced by Chinese international college students studying in the United States, the challenges they face when gaining access to mental health services, and potential interventions to boost their mental well-being. Additionally, this paper emphasizes the significance of providing a supportive environment that encourages and facilitates the help-seeking behavior of Chinese international college students, aiming to offer a valuable resource for mental health practitioners, policymakers, and higher education professionals.

Keywords:

mental health, Chinese international students, barriers to help-seeking, intervention

Chen,Y. (2023). Mental Health Problems of Chinese International College Students in the United States. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,18,178-186.
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References

[1]. Zhang, J., & Goodson, P. (2011). Predictors of international students’ psychosocial adjustment to life in the United States: A systematic review. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 35(2), 139–162.

[2]. China remains the top sender of international students to the United States in 2020/2021. U.S. Embassy & Consulates in China. (2021, November 17). https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/china-remains-the-top-sender-of-international-students-to-the-united-states-in-2020-2021/

[3]. Lian, Z., Wallace, B. C., & Fullilove, R. E. (2020). Mental Health Help-Seeking Intentions Among Chinese International Students in the U.S. Higher Education System: The Role of Coping Self-Efficacy, Social Support, and Stigma for Seeking Psychological Help. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 11(3), 147–157.

[4]. Zhang, X. et al. (2022). Perceived academic stress and depression: The mediation role of Mobile Phone Addiction and sleep quality, Front. Public Health, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.760387.

[5]. Wilks, S. (2008). Resilience amid academic stress: the moderating impact of social support among social work students. Adv Soc Work, 9(2), 106–125.

[6]. Forbes-Mewett, H., & Sawyer, A. (2016). International Students and Mental Health, Journal of International Students, 6(3), 661-677.

[7]. Su, Z., McDonnell, D., Shi, F., Liang, B., Li, X., Wen, J., Cai, Y., Xiang, Y. T., & Yang, L. (2021). Chinese International Students in the United States: The Interplay of Students’ Acculturative Stress, Academic Standing, and Quality of Life. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 625863.

[8]. Magnusdottir, E. & Thornicroft, G. (2022). Mental health of Chinese international students: narrative review of experiences in the UK [version 1; peer review: 2 approved with reservations]. NIHR Open Res, 2 (52).

[9]. Alharbi, E., & Smith, A. (2018). A review of the literature on stress and well-being among international students in English-speaking countries. International Education Studies, 11(5), 22-44.

[10]. Nilsson, J. E., Butler, J., Shouse, S., & Joshi, C. (2008). The Relationships among Perfectionism, Acculturation, and Stress in Asian International Students. Journal of College Counseling, 11(2), 147-158.

[11]. Lin, C., Tong, Y., Bai, Y., Zhao, Z., Quan, W., Liu, Z., Wang, J., Song, Y., Tian, J., & Dong, W. (2022). Prevalence and correlates of depression and anxiety among Chinese international students in US colleges during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study. PloS one, 17(4), e0267081.

[12]. Liu M. (2009). Addressing the mental health problems of Chinese international college students in the United States. Adv Soc Work,10(1), 69–86.

[13]. Yang LH, Kleinman A, Link BG, et al. (2007). Culture and stigma: Adding moral experience to stigma theory. Soc Sci Med, 64(7), 1524–1535.

[14]. Yu, S., Kowitt, S.D., Fisher, E.B. et al. (2018). Mental Health in China: Stigma, Family Obligations, and the Potential of Peer Support. Community Ment Health J, 54, 757–764.

[15]. Zhang, H., & Du, Y. (2018). Chinese School Curricula Should Include Mental Health Education, The Lancet Psychiatry, 5(8), E18.

[16]. Aguirre Velasco, A., Cruz, I.S.S., Billings, J. et al. (2020). What are the barriers, facilitators and interventions targeting help-seeking behaviours for common mental health problems in adolescents? A systematic review. BMC Psychiatry, 20 (293).

[17]. Huang, J., Nigatu, Y. T., Smail-Crevier, R., Zhang, X., & Wang, J. (2018). Interventions for common mental health problems among university and college students: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of psychiatric research, 107, 1–10.

[18]. Worsley, J. D., Pennington, A., & Corcoran, R. (2022). Supporting mental health and well-being of university and college students: A systematic review of review-level evidence of interventions. PloS one, 17(7), e0266725.


Cite this article

Chen,Y. (2023). Mental Health Problems of Chinese International College Students in the United States. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,18,178-186.

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The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

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About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Educational Innovation and Philosophical Inquiries

ISBN:978-1-83558-061-5(Print) / 978-1-83558-062-2​(Online)
Editor:Enrique Mallen, Javier Cifuentes-Faura
Conference website: https://www.iceipi.org/
Conference date: 7 August 2023
Series: Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media
Volume number: Vol.18
ISSN:2753-7048(Print) / 2753-7056(Online)

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References

[1]. Zhang, J., & Goodson, P. (2011). Predictors of international students’ psychosocial adjustment to life in the United States: A systematic review. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 35(2), 139–162.

[2]. China remains the top sender of international students to the United States in 2020/2021. U.S. Embassy & Consulates in China. (2021, November 17). https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/china-remains-the-top-sender-of-international-students-to-the-united-states-in-2020-2021/

[3]. Lian, Z., Wallace, B. C., & Fullilove, R. E. (2020). Mental Health Help-Seeking Intentions Among Chinese International Students in the U.S. Higher Education System: The Role of Coping Self-Efficacy, Social Support, and Stigma for Seeking Psychological Help. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 11(3), 147–157.

[4]. Zhang, X. et al. (2022). Perceived academic stress and depression: The mediation role of Mobile Phone Addiction and sleep quality, Front. Public Health, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.760387.

[5]. Wilks, S. (2008). Resilience amid academic stress: the moderating impact of social support among social work students. Adv Soc Work, 9(2), 106–125.

[6]. Forbes-Mewett, H., & Sawyer, A. (2016). International Students and Mental Health, Journal of International Students, 6(3), 661-677.

[7]. Su, Z., McDonnell, D., Shi, F., Liang, B., Li, X., Wen, J., Cai, Y., Xiang, Y. T., & Yang, L. (2021). Chinese International Students in the United States: The Interplay of Students’ Acculturative Stress, Academic Standing, and Quality of Life. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 625863.

[8]. Magnusdottir, E. & Thornicroft, G. (2022). Mental health of Chinese international students: narrative review of experiences in the UK [version 1; peer review: 2 approved with reservations]. NIHR Open Res, 2 (52).

[9]. Alharbi, E., & Smith, A. (2018). A review of the literature on stress and well-being among international students in English-speaking countries. International Education Studies, 11(5), 22-44.

[10]. Nilsson, J. E., Butler, J., Shouse, S., & Joshi, C. (2008). The Relationships among Perfectionism, Acculturation, and Stress in Asian International Students. Journal of College Counseling, 11(2), 147-158.

[11]. Lin, C., Tong, Y., Bai, Y., Zhao, Z., Quan, W., Liu, Z., Wang, J., Song, Y., Tian, J., & Dong, W. (2022). Prevalence and correlates of depression and anxiety among Chinese international students in US colleges during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study. PloS one, 17(4), e0267081.

[12]. Liu M. (2009). Addressing the mental health problems of Chinese international college students in the United States. Adv Soc Work,10(1), 69–86.

[13]. Yang LH, Kleinman A, Link BG, et al. (2007). Culture and stigma: Adding moral experience to stigma theory. Soc Sci Med, 64(7), 1524–1535.

[14]. Yu, S., Kowitt, S.D., Fisher, E.B. et al. (2018). Mental Health in China: Stigma, Family Obligations, and the Potential of Peer Support. Community Ment Health J, 54, 757–764.

[15]. Zhang, H., & Du, Y. (2018). Chinese School Curricula Should Include Mental Health Education, The Lancet Psychiatry, 5(8), E18.

[16]. Aguirre Velasco, A., Cruz, I.S.S., Billings, J. et al. (2020). What are the barriers, facilitators and interventions targeting help-seeking behaviours for common mental health problems in adolescents? A systematic review. BMC Psychiatry, 20 (293).

[17]. Huang, J., Nigatu, Y. T., Smail-Crevier, R., Zhang, X., & Wang, J. (2018). Interventions for common mental health problems among university and college students: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of psychiatric research, 107, 1–10.

[18]. Worsley, J. D., Pennington, A., & Corcoran, R. (2022). Supporting mental health and well-being of university and college students: A systematic review of review-level evidence of interventions. PloS one, 17(7), e0266725.