CULTURAL STRESS AMONG INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AT AN AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITY

Abstract

A representative sample of undergraduate and postgraduate international students at a large Australian university (n=979, 64% females) completed a mail-back survey examining their perceptions of cultural stress and the relationships between cultural stress and social connectedness, mental health, and lifestyle balance. Most students reported at least some degree of cultural stress especially for items relating to family and a familiar way of life. Issues of discrimination, discomfort and feelings of lack of safety were less commonly reported as stressful. Cultural stress is related to students’ cultural background, their communication skills in the new culture and their evaluation of their perceived academic progress. Cultural stress is negatively related to social connectedness and lifestyle balance but positively related to depression, anxiety and stress. Our findings suggest that there are several entry points for programs designed to assist international students adapt to their new cultural setting.