Behavioral Health Risk and Resilience among International Students in the United States: A Study of Socio-demographic Differences

Authors

  • Youn Kyoung Kim Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge
  • Arati Maleku Ohio State University
  • Catherine M Lemieux Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge
  • Xi Du Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge
  • Zibei Chen Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v9i1.264

Keywords:

acculturative stress, alcohol use, anxiety, depression, international students, resilience

Abstract

Using a resilience framework, the current cross-sectional study examined indicators of behavioral health risk and resilience among U.S. international students (N=322) across key socio-demographic characteristics. A multimethod approach was used to collect data with both an online platform and paper-based survey instrument. Results showed that higher levels of acculturative stress were reported by older students, females, undergraduates, students who lived with their families, and those who had resided in the US longer than 2 years. Findings underscore the importance of culturally-relevant screening and prevention strategies that target resilience and other protective factors to reduce health risk and encourage well-being and academic success among international students.

Author Biographies

  • Youn Kyoung Kim, Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge

    YOUN KYOUNG KIM,LMSW, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Her research interest focuses on resilience and behavioral health problems among youth.

  • Arati Maleku, Ohio State University

    ARATI MALEKU, MSW, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the College of Social Work at Ohio State University. Her research interests focus on the phenomenon of human migration, forced migration, social demography and social determinants of immigrant health

  • Catherine M Lemieux, Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge

    CATHERINE LEMIEU,PhD, LCSW, is a Margaret Champagne Womack Professor in Addictive Disorders at Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Her research interests include substance use disorders and integrated health.

  • Xi Du, Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge

    XI DU,is a doctoral student in the School of Social Work at Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge, Louisiana.Her research interests include immigrant children’s positive development and family welfare.

  • Zibei Chen, Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge

    ZIBEI CHEN,is a PhD Candidate in the School of Social Work at Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Her interests includefinancial behaviors, financial literacy, and access to financial services among low-income households.

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Published

2019-01-25

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 1 (2019)

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Research Articles (English)

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How to Cite

Behavioral Health Risk and Resilience among International Students in the United States: A Study of Socio-demographic Differences. (2019). Journal of International Students, 9(1), 282-305. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v9i1.264