The acculturation challenge: A longitudinal investigation of acculturative stress and mental health of Chinese international students in Australia

Abstract

The Australian university sector had almost one million international students in 2024. This population faces significant mental health challenges that affect their wellbeing and academic success, but these issues have received minimal empirical attention. Past research reports that international students experience acculturative stress due to language barriers, lack of social support, and discrimination, which contribute to poor mental health. Current evidence lacks insight into the progression of acculturative stress over time. To address this gap, this study conducted a longitudinal investigation of the mental health profiles of 140 Chinese international tertiary students in Australia and 84 Chinese tertiary students in China ( M age = 22.4, SD = 2.7). Participants in Australia were assessed in 2023 after their arrival (T1) and then five months later (T2). Contrary to expectations, the groups did not differ on standardised measures of distress, loneliness, wellbeing, social support, and resilience. However, Chinese students reported greater acculturative stress, as measured by the Acculturative Stress Scale for International Students (ASSIS), at T2 than at T1. Participants reported that the most significant challenge in adapting to life in Australia were language barriers and communication difficulties (84.3 %), which were rated more frequently than the academic demands of university (55.0 %). Potential methodological limitations aside, the results suggest that Chinese students may benefit from resources, supports, and interventions that target specific areas of acculturative stress, particularly in relation to language proficiency, to optimise their health and study. • Longitudinal study of mental health in Chinese international students in Australia. • Sample of 224 students located in Australia and China surveyed over 5 months. • 84 % of Chinese students in Australia reported language barrier issues. • Groups did not differ on most standardised mental health measures. • Chinese students reported that acculturative stress increased over time.