Citation

Yeung TS, Hyun S, Zhang E, Wong F, Stevens C, Liu CH, Chen JA. J. Am. Coll. Health 2022; 70(8): 2470-2475.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07448481.2020.1865980

PMID

33522452

PMCID

PMC8677361

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the prevalence and correlates of mental health (MH) symptoms and diagnoses in international college students in the United States. Participants: The sample included 44,851 degree-seeking undergraduate students (42,428 domestic students and 2,423 international students).

METHODS: Logistic regression analyses were conducted using international student status to predict MH symptoms and diagnoses from the Spring 2017 administration of the ACHA-National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA).

RESULTS: International students were less likely than domestic students to report a diagnosis of anxiety, comorbid depression and anxiety, or other psychiatric diagnoses. International students were more likely to report suicide attempts and feeling overwhelmingly depressed.

CONCLUSIONS: Among international students studying in the US, lower rates of MH diagnoses despite higher rates of depressive symptoms and suicide attempts mirror similar trends seen in American-born minority students. University campuses should consider culturally sensitive and targeted psychoeducation, mental health services, and outreach programming.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; United States; Universities; Students; mental health; Prevalence; Suicidal Ideation; Mental Health; suicidal ideation; suicide attempt; Mental Disorders; universities; International college students