Psychological Symptoms and Concerns Experienced by International Students: Outreach Implications for Counseling Centers

This study examines psychological symptoms and concerns experienced by international students. Participants identified with a variety of psychological symptoms and concerns. The top three were related to academics (71%), career (60%), and stress (43%). In addition, 34% of the participants indicated being concerned about depression and/or anxiety. For married students, the top three concern areas were related to academics, career, and stress, but 27% of participants also indicated experiencing couple and marital problems. Implications for outreach activities for counseling centers are discussed in light of these findings

Cultural Value Orientation, Social Networking Site (SNS) Use, and Homesickness in International Students

This study explores the relations between cultural value orientation, social networking site (SNS) usage intensity, and homesickness among a sample of international students studying in the United States. The results of this study determined that individuals high in collectivism and familism reported significantly more SNS usage in general. Other results revealed that students with high levels of individualism had significantly lower levels of homesickness. In addition, students with higher levels of homesickness reported a higher level of SNS usage with people back home. Based on the results this paper discusses implications and suggest interventions that could be used with international students

An Exploration of the Lived Experiences and Psychological States of Migrants and Refugees

UNHCR reports that about 82.4 million individuals were forcibly displaced as they attempted to avoid persecution, conflict, or human rights violations in their home countries. In addition to traumatic experiences, refugees encounter stressors such as low income, reduced social support, and language barriers. This qualitative study aimed to explore the impact of pre-migration trauma and political detainment on mental health outcomes and living conditions. A total of eight interviewees participated in video conferencing interviews. A non-probability convenience sampling using the snowballing technique was utilized to identify participants. Data were analyzed using an inductive approach for thematic analysis. The software Dedoose was used to come up with codes and the research team refined the codes into distinct themes. Four themes emerged from data analysis: extrinsic barriers, symptoms of psychological distress, coping and help-seeking behaviors, and interpersonal relationships. Results of the study show the intensity and difficulty of experiences faced by participants and the toll it takes on their mental state and family life. The results highlight a lack of resources available to refugees in the United States and a suggestion to further the research efforts for this understudied population

The Role of Religion on Suicidal Behavior, Attitudes and Psychological Distress in University Students: A Multinational Study

The purpose of this study was to determine the association of religion to suicidal behavior, attitudes and psychological distress in 5572 students from 12 countries by means of a selfreport questionnaire. Our results showed that an affiliation with Islam was associated with reduced risk for suicide ideation, however affiliating with Orthodox Christianity and no religion was related to increased risk for suicide ideation. While affiliating with Buddhism, Catholic religion and no religion associated with lowered risk for attempting suicide, affiliation with Islam was related to heightened risk for attempting suicide. Affiliation with Hinduism, Orthodox Christianity, Protestantism, Catholicism, other religions and with no religion was associated with decreased risk for psychological distress but those reported affiliating with Islam evinced greater risk for psychological distress. The associations of the strength of religious belief to suicidal ideation and attempts were in the expected direction for most but it had a positive relation in respondents affiliating with Catholicism and other religions. Students reporting affiliation with Islam, Orthodox religion and Buddhism were the least accepting of suicide but they displayed a more confronting interpersonal style to an imagined peer with a suicidal decision. It was concluded that the protective function of religion in educated segments of populations (university students) and in university students residing in Muslim countries where freedom from religion is restricted or religion is normative and/or compulsory is likely to be limited. Our findings suggest that public policies supporting religious freedom may augment the protective function of religion against suicide and psychological distress

Factors related to posttraumatic growth in u.s. and japanese college students

The present study examined variables contributing to perceived benefits in the aftermath of traumatic events or posttraumatic growth (PTG) in U.S. (N-182) and Japanese (N-163) college students. Specifically, PTSD symptoms (intrusion, avoidance, and hyperarousal), optimism, and number of traumas experienced were examined in relation to posttraumatic growth. The results showed that in both samples, PTSD symptoms and number of traumas experienced were significantly and positively related with PTG, and PTSD symptoms were positively correlated with number of traumas experienced. Also, the results from a multiple regression analysis revealed that the intrusion, optimism, and number of traumas experienced contributed to PTG, but avoidance and hyperarousal were independent of PTG in both samples. This finding suggests that mental health practitioners could consider intrusion as not only pathology but also as one of the factors contributing to PTG in both U.S. and Japanese college students. © 2011 American Psychological Association

International Students who Became US Counseling Psychology Faculty Members: A Collaborative Autoethnography

International students have a considerable presence in U.S. counseling psychology programs; what happens when they pursue academic counseling psychology positions in U.S. institutions? Seven counseling psychology faculty who started as international students in the United States used collaborative autoethnography to examine this matter. We found that our identification with counseling psychology philosophy and our lifelong, self-reflective process as cultural insiders/outsiders have proven crucial. Likewise, we found that our academic career development has been shaped by extra challenges encountered when dealing with ethnocentric aspects of U.S. psychology and by unique opportunities generated by our multinational professional identities and multilingual abilities. Three themes recurred across our reflections: Overcoming Linguistic Differences, Learning to Thrive Across Cultures, and Mentoring as a Valued Experience. We offer advice for international counseling students considering careers in U.S. academia and discuss the implications of our findings for research, training, and advocacy