Promoting International Students’Mental Health Unmet Needs:An Integrative Review

Background:There are increasing concerns about the mental health needs of international students.Previous studies report that international students experience additional challenges and higher levels of stress compared to domestic students.This integrative review aimed to identify perceived stressors,coping strategies and factors that contributed to accessing mental health services of international students.Methods:A systematic search was performed between January 2010 and December 2023 using PubMed,CINAHL,ProQuest,the Cochrane Library,Scopus and PsycINFO databases.A manual search was also performed that included reference lists of included articles;data was extracted and reviewed by three reviewers.A total of 21 studies were included in this review with a total of 4442 international students recruited,with ages between 17 to 43 years.Nineteen studies reported international students’gender,there were more females(n=2205)than males(n=1022).Ethnicity was reported in 18 studies.They included Asia,Europe,Latin America,North America,South America,Africa,the Middle East and Pacific Islands.This review adopted Whittemore and Knafl’s five-stage approach,with specific steps for problem identification,literature search,data evaluation,data analysis,and presentation.Results:The Health Belief Model was used to explain relationships among independent and dependent variables and guide the findings of this review.Three identified progressive themes emerged including Theme 1:understanding cultural variations with perceived stress;Theme 2:coping strategies in dealing with stress and challenges in the new environment;and Theme 3:perceived threats and stress affecting how international students perceived barriers and benefits to access counselling support services and mental health services.This integrative review presents an overview of mental health needs and factors contributing to the mental health and well-being of international students via the inclusion of studies with different designs,providing an in-depth understanding of the study phenomenon.The findings of this review may help university health providers,mental health professionals,academic institutions and policymakers better understand the multifaceted needs of international students.Conclusion:This review demonstrates the importance of increased cross-cultural interactions between international students and domestic student counterparts to enhance belongingness and connection to host countries.This may facilitate adaptation to new living and learning environments.It is crucial academic institutions offer programs that can be effectively implemented and sustained to meet the unmet mental health needs of international students.University orientation programs,student counselling and health services may integrate cultural events,social support groups,leadership programs and resilience models of acculturation to promote mental health and well-being among international students.While these studies show promising results,there is a need for further robust evaluative studies to develop culturally sensitive mental health promotion programs for international students.

Evaluation of Chinese Learning Efficiency of International Students in China:Comparing by Dimension

This paper introduces the Value Engineering method to calculate the value coefficient of Chinese learning efficiency for 377 international students by dimension.Results suggest that attention should be paid to male,European and American,rural,introverted,and“work or education needs”international students;Give full play to the driving role of the reference-type,explore the space for improving the learning efficiency of the improvement-type and attention-type,and pay attention to the problems of problem-type international students.

Evaluation of Chinese Learning Efficiency of International Students in China

This paper investigates the related factors of Chinese learning engagement and performance of 377 students from three universities in Guangzhou of China,employs the value engineering method,and calculates the value coefficient of learning efficiency.From the value coefficient of Chinese language learning,it proves that over 60%of international students studying in China have a higher efficiency in learning Chinese.

International Students’ Feeling of Shame in the Higher Education: An Intersectional Analysis of Their Racialised, Gendered and Classed Experiences in the UK Universities

The literature on international students’ experiences frequently depicts them within a ‘deficient’ framework, highlighting their perceived lack of essential skills for managing their studies. Moreover, international students’ emotional experiences are often construed as personal and psychological attributes, with their emotions viewed as transient and pathological phases that they will eventually overcome to assimilate into the local context. However, there exists a dearth of literature investigating international students’ experiences from a sociological perspective, particularly concerning their emotional experiences within the broader social and political milieu. Utilizing a longitudinal research design to monitor 25 Chinese international postgraduates from multiple universities in London and Glasgow over the course of one year, this study illuminates the racialised, classed, and gendered dimensions of international students’ experiences in UK higher education through an exploration of their feelings of shame. Drawing on the research findings, it is evident that power relations operate insidiously and covertly to systematically frame international students’ experiences as personal or cultural ‘deficiency’. This process represents a form of misrecognition, which manifests in racialised, gendered, and classed feelings of shame, experienced at the personal level as insecurity, ‘stupidity’, exclusion, and self-doubt. Consequently, social and cultural inequalities within higher education are often situated at the individual level.

Discussion on Cultural Integration and Educational Services for International Students from the Perspective of Situational Communication

From the perspective of situational communication,this paper aims to explore how to promote cultural integration and provide better educational services for international students in China.This paper first analyzes the basic assumptions and key factors of situational communication based on international students in China.Secondly,the relationship between situational communication and cultural integration and educational services for international students in China is discussed in depth.Additionally,the role of situational communication in educational services for international students in China,such as promoting cross-cultural communication,solving language barriers,and enhancing mutual understanding,is proposed.Lastly,from the perspective of situational communication,an optimization path of educational services and cultural integration for international students in China is proposed,including the provision of diversified educational resources,the enhancement of cross-cultural communication,and the establishment of an effective communication mechanism.This study expands the perspective of educational services for international students in China,provides a new theoretical framework and practical path,and offers a reference for promoting cultural integration and improving educational services for international students in China.

Research on the Current Situation of China’s Higher Education Students Studying Abroad in the Context of Higher Education Internationalization

In the context of education internationalization,the internationalization of higher education has become a major trend in the field of education in most countries,with international student education as the core.This phenomenon promotes cultural exchanges and integration among countries as well as higher education reform,which is of great significance in enhancing the international influence of higher education in each country.However,there are also some challenges faced by higher education students when studying abroad.The article digs into the origin and history of studying abroad,analyzes the current situation and reasons for higher education students in China to study abroad,discusses the opportunities and challenges faced by higher education students in China when studying abroad,and analyzes the trend of studying abroad in China.

Exploration on Teaching Reform of Medical Functional Experimental Science for International Students

Medical Functional Experiment Science, a bridge between basic medicine and clinical medicine, integrates classical experimental teaching contents of three courses including physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology. This course not only helps students to verify and reinforce theoretical knowledge, but also cultivates their capability of scientific thinking to discover and solve problems. Based on the characteristics of international students and current situation of the teaching platform in the laboratory at Yangtze University, this paper discusses a series of problems in the Medical Functional Experiment Science teaching for international students and puts forward some measures for teaching reform including optimizing experimental content, innovating experimental teaching methods and establishing effective experimental evaluation mode, in order to cultivate more international medical students with innovative ability.

Challenges and Countermeasures for Private Universities in Providing Education for International Students

Private universities are one of the forces driving the internationalization of higher education in China.Private universities are taking advantage of the trend to provide education for international students,playing an important role in the high-quality development of higher education in China.However,they also face challenges such as insufficient policy support,lack of management experience,and limited enrollment channels.Breakthroughs can be made through methods such as refining content,expanding enrollment channels,and attracting talent.

The experiences of menstrual symptom changes among international students studying in China during the acculturation period: A phenomenology study

Objectives Menstruation is a normal physiological phenomenon among female which could be influenced by the process of acculturation.Few studies have explored the experience of menstrual symptom changes among international female students studying in China.Therefore,this paper aims to summarize international female students’experiences of menstrual symptom changes when they were studying in China and interpret these changes through considering the influence of acculturation on their social and academic lives.Methods We used a descriptive phenomenology approach.Structured in-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted between May and November 2019 among ten international female students studying in one Province located in south central China.Participants were those who reported having experienced menstrual symptom changes during the acculturation period,which was defined as the first six months of living in China.All interviews were audio-recorded,transcribed verbatim,and analyzed using NVivo 11.0 with the guidance of Colaizzi's seven-step method.Results The international female students’experiences of menstrual symptom changes were summarized and grouped into five main categories and 13 subcategories.The main categories include:1)demonstration of menstrual symptom changes,2)challenges of maintaining menstrual function in the new setting,3)coping styles to take care of menstrual health,4)consequences of the menstrual symptom changes,and 5)culture-based attitude toward menstruation.Conclusions International female students reported experiences of menstrual symptom changes,including somatic and psychological symptoms during the acculturation period.Culture barriers,academic stress,and sleep patterns are common factors influencing their menstrual symptom changes.More culturally-tailored interventions should be explored to improve the menstrual health of international female students in China.

Research Methodology and Analysis of Innovative Pedagogical Models in Mechanical Engineering Courses for International Students at the School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University

Taking the engineering courses“Introduction to Mechanical Engineering”and“Machining Process”taught by the author at Beihang University’s International School as examples,this article systematically analyzed the current status and background of international student education,focused on research strategies for interdisciplinary education and industry-education integration innovation models from the perspectives of technical demands,student needs,and societal requirements.This article aims to cultivate highly qualified international students who come to China for their studies,help them better adapt to China’s social employment environment,and enhance their capabilities for career development in China.This article proposes a comprehensive set of innovative teaching models for mechanical engineering courses for international students at Beihang University,which encompasses eight key aspects,including talent development programs,curriculum outline reforms,optimization of classroom teaching content,respect for individual student characteristics,the establishment of practical teaching components,the use of open-ended assignments to stimulate enthusiasm for learning,the cultivation of international students’interest in China,their belief in developing friendships with China,and their goals of staying in China,and the incorporation of external experts to facilitate industry-education integration.

Research on the Cultural Identity of International Students

With the deepening of educational internationalization in China,an increasing number of international students are choosing to pursue their studies in China.The training of international students should be based on the management mode of“convergence management.”Convergence management is a process involving multicultural exchange and interaction,and its essence lies in strengthening the cultural identity of international students.In this paper,the current status of international students’cultural identity is summarized,and several coping strategies are explored,with the goal of fostering outstanding international students possessing sound professional knowledge,global perspective,and Chinese feelings.

The Procedure of an International Student Studying Abroad:A Case Study

As it is examined and concluded by many researchers,studying abroad has been common when students are trying to receive higher quality education.Cross-cultural adjustment is also regarded as a compulsory term to consider,and the way to get involved in the host culture has also been deeply investigated in this procedure.Therefore,this paper aims at identifying the factors that cause cultural barriers,as well as finding solutions to cope with them.In this study,a case study research method is employed and the result will be beneficial to support future research in similar fields.

Evidence for the Reliability and Validity of the Arabic Version of the Student Risk Screening Scale for Internalizing and Externalizing Behaviors (SRSS-IE)

School-based universal screening for behavioral/emotional risk is a necessary first step to providing services in an educational setting for students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBDs). Psychometric properties are critical to making decisions about choosing a screening instrument. The purpose of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of the student risk screening scale for internalizing and externalizing behaviors (SRSS-IE). Participants included 3145 students and their teachers. Item-level analyses of the current sample supported the retention of all items. The internal consistency of the SRSS items ranged from 0.83 to 0.85. Convergent validity between the SRSS-IE and a well-established screening tool, the strength and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ), was found for the total score (r = 0.70). Additionally, the results of this study demonstrate strong social validity, suggesting the SRSS-IE to be a useful and functional screening tool. We conclude that the SRSS-IE is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing the level of emotional and behavioral difficulties among elementary students.

Randomized control study in the influence of different training methods of Tai Chi on Chinese medicine constitution of international students with depression or depression tendency

Objective： To evaluate the effect of different training methods of Tai Chi on Chinese medicine constitution of international students with depression or depression tendency. Methods： Thirty-eight Africa international students were randomly divided into the physical exercise group who receiving the simple physical exercise of simplified 24-form Tai Chi （physical exercise group） and the breathing group who receiving both deep breathing method plus simple physical exercise （breathing group）. The average scores of Chinese medicine gentleness and various biased constitutional types in the two groups were compared. Results： The average score of thirty-eight students with biased constitution in both groups decreased significantly compared with that before training （P 〈 0.05）. Compared with that before training, the average scores of biased constitutional types in the breathing group, including Qi deficiency, Yang deficiency, phlegm-dampness and Qi stagnation, were significantly decreased （P 〈 0.05）. The average scores of Yang deficiency, blood stasis and Qi stagnation constitutional types of students in simple physical group after training were also significantly decreased after training （P 〈 0.05）. Moreover, the average scores of biased constitutional types, including Qi deficiency, Yang deficiency, Yin deficiency, phlegm and dampness, Qi-stagnation, in the breathing group were significantly lower than those of the simple exercise group, suggesting the superior therapeutic effect of breathing training method （P 〈 0.01）. Conclusion： When combines with the deep breathing method, Tai Chi training achieves better effect on improving the biased constitutional types which may be related to depression or depression tendency, including Qi deficiency, Yang deficiency, Yin deficiency, phlegm and dampness, Qi-stagnation.

A Study of International Chinese Language Teachers’Stereotypes of International Students

Teachers’stereotypes of students affect teaching behaviour.Correctly perceiving stereotypes of international students helps teachers to understand the student population more deeply and adopt effective teaching behaviour.This study focuses on the stereotypes of international Chinese language teachers towards international students in Chinese universities and its impact on teachers’classroom management and students’classroom performance.Summarizing the findings,we conclude that international Chinese language teachers have both positive and negative stereotypes of the international student body,and that negative stereotypes account for more than positive stereotypes.On this basis,this study further discusses the importance of international Chinese language teachers being aware of the existence of stereotypes of international students,and makes suggestions to strengthen the positive influences and weaken the negative ones.

The Role of Spirituality in Cultural Adjustment of Asian International Students

Many Asian international students face adjustment challenges as they live and study in the United States(US).While it is largely unrecognized in the West,collectivist spirituality is an essential part of Asian cultures and functions as a potent source of resilience.This article,therefore,explores spirituality and describes how it functions as a coping mechanism for Asian international during their cross-cultural adjustment.Additionally,implications are made for university-based counselors,educators,and administrators to better support this student population.

International Students’Perspectives on Model English-medium Instruction Practices in China:A Qualitative Study

From 2010,a drastic increase in international students’enrollment in many higher education institutions in China has led to the growth of English-medium instruction(EMI)practices and relevant research.With many state-level and province-level initiatives to promote the design and development of model EMI courses,international students’perspectives of these courses are not adequately reflected in the international literature which is primarily done in European higher education contexts.This study takes a qualitative approach by analyzing international students’EMI courses reflection reports,focus group interviews and observation notes of video-recorded EMI courses to probe into their perspectives on EMI practices in a business institute in a university of Shanghai.The findings show that international students show concerns about the systematic design of the curriculum,pedagogical problems and contextual limitations in EMI practices.All EMI stakeholders like curriculum developers,teaching administrators,teachers and students are responsible for these problems.Therefore,meaningful and consistent communication should be greatly promoted among all EMI practices stakeholders.The article concludes with recommendations for further research on model EMI courses in China.

An Empirical Study on the Relationship Between the Scale of International Students from ASEAN and China’s Outward Foreign Direct Investment

With the further development of economic globalization since the establishment of ties between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN) 30 years ago and the continuous increase in the scale of international students in China,the training of international talents has become an important approach to avoiding the risks of transnational investments.We established panel data by selecting variables from the period 2006 to 2017,including the scale of international students coming from ASEAN to China,the gross amount of China’s outward foreign direct investment(OFDI),and the GDP per capita of ASEAN countries to further explore the correlations among these variables.We applied a panel-vector autoregressive(PVAR) model to conducting a Granger causality test,a Gaussian mixture model(GMM) regression analysis,a Monte Carlo-based impulse response analysis,and variance decomposition of the data.The results show that the growth of OFDI exerted an obvious positive impact on the inflow of international students from the countries along the Belt and Road(B&R) within a short period,the growth of the scale of international students coming from these countries to study in China had a strong positive effect on OFDI,the training of international talents was conducive to promoting the scale of transnational investments,but the overall quality was not very high,and its economic contribution rate was low.It is also found that OFDI and the scale of international students from the countries along the B&R promoted the GDP growth to a certain extent and the positive accumulation effect fluctuated due to external factors.Therefore,it is suggested to expanding the scale of OFDI and improving China’s core competitiveness in international student education.Intensive management of investment factors should also be conducted along with sound development of training mechanisms for international talents.

Survey and Analysis of Chinese Learning Needs of International Students-A Case Study of International Students Majoring in MBA and MPA in a College of The Belt and Road

This study investigated the Chinese learning motivation,learning goals and learning strategies of 26 international students majoring in MBA and MPA at a university with The belt and road college,mainly by questionnaire and interview method,supplemented by classroom observation method.The survey found that 20 of the 24 international students were zero-start Chinese learners,and their learning motivation was mainly"instrumental"and"intrinsic",and they had high enthusiasm for Chinese language and Chinese culture.They have a high enthusiasm for Chinese language and culture,and will actively solve the difficulties they encounter in learning Chinese.At the same time,this study conducted a questionnaire survey on the needs of international students in terms of curriculum and content,teaching materials,teaching assessment and extracurricular activities,combined with the results of individual and group interviews and classroom observations,to summarize the real needs of international students in various aspects of Chinese language learning,so as to provide teaching reference for teachers teaching international students,and to provide a reference for colleges and universities to develop Chinese teaching programs.The survey will provide a basis for the colleges and universities to formulate Chinese teaching programs and coordinate teaching activities,so as to help international students learn Chinese better.

Cultural Shock and Adaptation of International Students in China

Cultural shock and adaptation of international students have become a thriving field of study.This article reviews studies on international students in China and demonstrates an increasing favor for empirical research over nonempirical research in recent years and studies the current situation and problems of international students’cultural adaptation in China.This review ends with implications and directions for future research.