Understanding and Explaining Psychological Distress inInternational Students

ABSTRACT

Research indicates that international students report more psychological distress than domestic students. The aim of our research was to investigate levels of stress, depression, and anxiety, and in particular, psychological predictors for these symptoms among international students. International students (N= 103) from the University of Jyväskylä (Finland) completed questionnaires assessing their stress (PSS-10), depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), psychological inflexibility (AFQ-Y), mindfulness (FFMQ), and engaged living (ELS). A significant proportion of students experienced high levels of psychological distress, and those with elevated symptoms reported higher levels of psychological inflexibility, lower levels of mindfulness skills and value-based actions. Regression analyses suggested that living according to one’s values and value-based actions was the strongest predictor of stress and depression (approx. 25% of variance explained). On the other hand, the strongest predictor for symptoms of anxiety was acting with awareness (approx. 20% of variance explained). This study suggests that students with different types of distress might benefit from training in distinct psychological flexibility skills, and these skills could be embedded into the university counselling services (AU)