Prevalence of past-year mental disorders and its correlates among Chinese international students in US higher education

Abstract

<b>Objective</b>: This study examined the prevalence of past-year mental disorders and its correlates among Chinese international students in US higher education. <b>Participants</b>: A total of 222 Chinese international students participated in the study. <b>Methods</b>: Participants were recruited via a social marketing campaign and participated in an online survey. <b>Results</b>: The majority of the participants were female (65.3%) and graduate students (84.7%) with a mean age of 23.75 years. Of the sample, 77.9 and 74.3% reported having experienced depression and anxiety symptoms in the past year, respectively. Predictors of a higher past-year global mental health status were: not having a steady partner; being more likely to return China after graduation; a higher level of stress about the returning plan; and, a lower rating of cultural humility of key college/university personnel. <b>Conclusions</b>: These results suggest that mental health is a pressing issue facing Chinese international students and correlated with other psychosocial factors.