Investigating psychological well-being and resilience among international college students in the United States

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/jkv65t83

Keywords:

international college students, resilience, stress, psychological well being, Acculturative Stress

Abstract

This study examines psychological well-being and resilience, focusing on how demographic characteristics and stress levels impact mental health among international students. A secondary data analysis was conducted via the National College Health Assessment (2022). Approximately 82.7% of the participants reported moderate to high levels of psychological well-being. High resilience was linked to increased well-being (AOR = 7.03, p < .001), whereas high stress (AOR = 0.40, p < .001) and being female (AOR = 0.70, p < .001) were associated with lower well-being. The results highlight the role of resilience in reducing acculturative stress and enhancing overall well-being. Tailored policies and culturally sensitive support are necessary for the well-being of international 

Author Biographies

  • Kruti S. Chaliawala, Boise State University, USA

    Dr. Kruti S. Chaliawala is an Assistant Professor in the School of Public and Population Health at Boise State University, where she is committed to bridging the divide between international and domestic students and cultivating an inclusive environment that allows all students to thrive. Her research interests encompass the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on health outcomes, mental health, sexual health, health disparities among international students, and the psychosocial determinants of health behaviors in adolescents and young adults.

  • Rebecca V. Vidourek, University of Cincinnati, USA

    Dr. Rebecca A. Vidourek is a Health Promotion and Education Professor at the University of Cincinnati. She is also the HPE graduate Program Coordinator and the Health Education Health Promotion Concentration Director for the Master of Public Health program. Her research emphases include child/adolescent health promotion, substance abuse prevention, suicide prevention, positive youth development, school health education, and violence prevention. 

  • Keith A. King, University of Cincinnati, USA

    Dr. Keith A. King is a Professor and Director of the Center for Prevention Science. His research emphases include adolescent health promotion, suicide, violence and substance abuse prevention, mental health promotion, sexual health, survey development, and program evaluation. 

  • Ashley L. Merianos, University of Cincinnati, USA

    Dr. Ashley L. Merianos is a professor at the School of Human Services at the University of Cincinnati and a research affiliate member of the Thirdhand Smoke Research Consortium. As a health services researcher, Dr. Merianos has extensive training and experience in epidemiology and substance use prevention, with an emphasis on tobacco, quantitative statistical methods, and clinical and translational research in the pediatric healthcare setting.

References

Abrahams, Z. (2022). Student mental health is in crisis. Campuses are rethinking their approach. Monitor on Psychology, 53(7), 60. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/10/mental-health-campus-care

Akhtar, M., & Kroener-Herwig, B. (2019). Coping styles and sociodemographic variables as predictors of psychological well-being among international students belonging to different cultures. Current Psychology (New Brunswick, N.J.), 38(3), 618-626. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-017-9635-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-017-9635-3

Alharbi, E. S., & Smith, A. P. (2018). Review the literature on stress and well-being of international students in English-speaking countries. International Education Studies, 11(6), 22. https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v11n6p22 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v11n6p22

American College Health Association. American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment III: Reference Group Executive Summary Fall 2022. Silver Spring, MD: American College Health Association; 2023.

Ashraf, S., Khan, M. L., & Mahmood, T. (2025). Social capital, interpersonal communication skills, and psychological wellbeing among young adults. Indus Journal of Social Sciences, 3(1), 251–265. https://doi.org/10.59075/ijss.v3i1.623 DOI: https://doi.org/10.59075/ijss.v3i1.623

Barbayannis, G., Bandari, M., Zheng, X., Baquerizo, H., Pecor, K. W., & Ming, X. (2022). Academic stress and mental well-being in college students: Correlations, affected groups, and COVID-19. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 886344-886344. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.886344 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.886344

Beri, N., Thakur, K., & Kumar, N. (2025). Cross-cultural examination of social support, academic support, and well-being: A comparative study of Indian and international students. Journal of International Students, 15(2), 169-182. https://doi.org/10.32674/devfax39 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32674/devfax39

Boundless (2023). International Student Enrollment Bounces Back to Pre-Pandemic Levels in 2022. Retrieved from: https://www.boundless.com/blog/international-students-increase-2022/#:~:text=In%202022%2C%20there%20were%201%2C362%2C157,back%20to%20pre%2Dpandemic%20levels.

Brett, C.E., Mathieson, M.L. & Rowley, A.M. (2023). Determinants of wellbeing in university students: The role of residential status, stress, loneliness, resilience, and sense of coherence. Current Psychology, 42, 19699–19708. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03125-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03125-8

Buddington, L. (2025). Growth mindset, resilience, college student retention and engagement in preventative mental health activities: A focus on vulnerable groups. Journal of American College Health, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2025.2464769 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2025.2464769

Can, A., Poyrazli, S., & Pillay, Y. (2021). Eleven types of adjustment problems and psychological well-being among international students. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 2021(91), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.14689/ejer.2021.91.1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14689/ejer.2021.91.1

Connor, K. M., & Davidson, J. R. T. (2003). Development of a new resilience scale: The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Depression and Anxiety, 18(2), 76–82. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.10113 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/da.10113

Diener, E., Wirtz, D., Tov, W., Kim-Prieto, C., Choi, D. W., Oishi, S., & Biswas-Diener, R. (2010). New well-being measures: Short scales to assess flourishing and positive and negative feelings. Social Indicators Research, 97(2), 143-156. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-009-9493-y DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-009-9493-y

Hone, L. C., Jarden, A., Schofield, G. M., & Duncan, S. (2014). Measuring flourishing: The impact of operational definitions on the prevalence of high levels of well-being. International Journal of Wellbeing, 4(1), 62–90. https://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v4i1.4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v4i1.4

Hunter-Johnson, Y. (2021). A leap of academic faith and resilience: Nontraditional international students pursuing higher education in the United States. Journal of International Students, 12(2), 283-301. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v12i2.1986 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v12i2.1986

Institute of International Education (IIE): “Open Doors 2022 Report on International Educational Exchange” (November 14, 2022)

Iwamoto, D. K., & Liu, W. M. (2010). The impact of racial identity, ethnic identity, Asian values and race-related stress on Asian Americans and Asian international college students’ psychological well-being. Journal of Counseling, 57(1), 79-91. doi: 10.1037/a0017393 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017393

Katsumoto, S., & Bowman, N. A. (2021). Changes in psychological well-being among international students in the US: The role of interactions with peers, faculty, and staff. Journal of College Student Development, 62(3), 345-350. https://doi.org/10.1353/csd.2021.0029 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/csd.2021.0029

Kim, Y. K., & Cronley, C. (2020). Acculturative stress and binge drinking among international students in the United States: Resilience and vulnerability approaches. Journal of American College Health, 68(2), 207-218. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2018.1538998 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2018.1538998

Lee, J. J., & Rice, C. (2007). Welcome to America? International student perceptions of discrimination. Higher Education, 53(3), 381-409. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-005-4508-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-005-4508-3

Li, J. Q., Liu, X., Wei, T., & Lan, W. (2013). Acculturation, internet use, and psychological well-being among Chinese international students. Journal of International Students, 3(2), 155-166. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v3i2.508 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v3i2.508

Luthans, F., Youssef-Morgan, C. M., & Avolio, B. J. (2015). Psychological capital and beyond. Oxford University Press. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2015-14665-000

Ma, K., Pitner, R., Sakamoto, I., & Park, H. Y. (2020). Challenges in acculturation among international students from Asian collectivist cultures. Higher Education Studies, 10(3), 34. https://doi.org/10.5539/hes.v10n3p34 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5539/hes.v10n3p34

Mori, S. C. (2000). Addressing the mental health concerns of international students. Journal of Counseling & Development, 78(2), 137-144. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.2000.tb02571.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.2000.tb02571.x

Mostafa, H., & Lim, Y. (2020). Examining the relationship between motivations and resilience in different international student groups attending U.S. universities. Journal of International Students, 10(2), 306-319. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v10i2.603 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v10i2.603

Park, N., Song, H., & Lee, K. M. (2014). Social networking sites and other media use, acculturation stress, and psychological well-being among East Asian college students in the United States. Computers in Human Behavior, 36, 138-146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.03.037 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.03.037

Pinamang, B.N., Bobie-Nimako, O., Peprah, W. K., Osei, S. A., Antwi, F. B., Nimako, N. O., Agyenim-Boateng, E. (2021). Social support, psychological adjustment, and acculturative stress among international students in Baguio city of the Philippines. International Journal of Nursing Science, 11(1), 1-7. doi:10.5923/j.nursing.20211101.01

Prasath, P.R., Xiong, Y., Zhang, Q. et al. (2022). Psychological capital, well-being, and distress of international students. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 44, 529–549. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-022-09473-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-022-09473-1

Silva, A. J., & Caetano, A. (2013). Validation of the flourishing scale and scale of positive and negative experience in Portugal. Social Indicators Research, 110(2), 469–478. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-011-9938-y DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-011-9938-y

Singh, J. K. N. (2021). Academic resilience among international students: Lived experiences of postgraduate international students in Malaysia. Asia Pacific Education Review, 22(1), 129-138. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-020-09657-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-020-09657-7

Smith, R. A., & Khawaja, N. G. (2011). A review of the acculturation experiences of international students. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 35(6), 699-713. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2011.08.004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2011.08.004

Su, C., & Flett, G. L. (2025). Effects of Anti-Mattering and Fear of not Mattering on the Psychological Well-Being of International Students in Canada during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Open Journal of Trauma, 9(1), 001-016. doi: 10.17352/ojt.000048. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17352/ojt.000048

Tang Y-Y., Tang R., & Gross, J. J. (2019) Promoting Psychological Well-Being Through an Evidence-Based Mindfulness Training Program. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 13, 237. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2019.00237 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2019.00237

U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (2023). Students and Employment. Retrieved from Students and Employment | USCIS

US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs: “International Student Enrollment Bounces Back to Pre-Pandemic Levels in 2022” (June 12, 2023)

Vaishnavi, S., Connor, K., & Davidson, J. R. T. (2007). An abbreviated version of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), the CD-RISC2: Psychometric properties and applications in psychopharmacological trials. Psychiatry Research, 152(2–3), 293–297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2007.01.006 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2007.01.006

World Health Organization (2022). Mental Health. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response

Yang, Y., Zhang, Y., & Sheldon, K. M. (2018). Self-determined motivation for studying abroad predicts lower culture shock and greater well-being among international students: The mediating role of basic psychological needs satisfaction. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 63, 95-104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2017.10.005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2017.10.005

Zhang, H. (2021). International students face mental challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. ScienceLine. Retrieved from: International students face mental health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic - Scienceline

Zhang, J., & Goodson, P. (2011). Predictors of international students’ psychosocial adjustment to life in the United States: A systematic review. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 35(2), 139-162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2010.11.011 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2010.11.011

Zheng, Z., Dong, X., Kong, D., & Li, M. (2018). Acculturation and psychological wellbeing among Chinese American older adults. Innovation in Aging, 2(1), 891-892. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igy031.3323

Zhou, X., & colleagues. (2021). Prevalence of common mental concerns and service utilization among international students studying in the U.S. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 34(1), 45-60. https://doi.org/10.1080/09515070.2021.1874567

Downloads

Published

2025-09-13

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 8 (2025): Journal of International Students

Section

Research Articles (English, regular edition)

Categories

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of International Students

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Copyright (c) [year] [author]
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

How to Cite

Chaliawala, K. S., Vidourek, R. V., King, K. A., & Merianos, A. L. (2025). Investigating psychological well-being and resilience among international college students in the United States. Journal of International Students, 15(8), 77-94. https://doi.org/10.32674/jkv65t83