Exploring the moderating role of therapist approaches in short-term therapy outcomes for Asian international students

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/z02zf138

Keywords:

Asian international college students, psychoeducation, psychotherapy, therapeutic approach, treatment outcomes

Abstract

This secondary data analysis of Xu and Wang (2025) examined whether a therapeutic approach moderated the effects of a pretherapy psychoeducation program on short-term psychotherapy outcomes among Asian international college students. Forty-four participants were randomly assigned to either a psychoeducation-plus-therapy group or a therapy-alone group. The psychoeducation program aimed to enhance mental health literacy, reduce stigma, and increase readiness for therapy. All participants received eight-week individual therapy sessions delivered by doctoral trainees using one of three approaches: psychodynamic, SFBT + CBT, or an integrated approach. Outcomes were assessed using the DASS-21, AIS, ATSPPH, MAKS, and a self-rated distress scale. Multilevel modeling showed that the therapeutic approach moderated changes in DASS-21 scores, with SFBT + CBT and integrated approaches associated with greater reductions in psychological distress and stress than psychodynamic therapy. No significant moderating effects were found for attitudes. 

Author Biographies

  • Diyue Dou, King’s College London

    Diyue Dou is a recent Health Psychology graduate from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London. As an international student from China with a background in psychology and experience working in student wellbeing support at King’s, her research interests focus on the psychological wellbeing of students in higher education and the accessibility and effectiveness of university counselling services. She is also passionate about treatment adherence, psychological wellbeing, and quality of life among patients with chronic illnesses. 

  • Han Wang, Northwestern University

    Han Wang is a Quality Assurance Manager at a community-based non-profit organization and a part-time master’s student in Health Analytics at the School of Professional Studies, Northwestern University. With her background in psychology and healthcare data, her research interests focus on mechanisms and the evaluation of interventions aimed at improving psychotherapy quality and outcomes across diverse populations. 

  • Yuanruo Xu, Adelphi University

    Yuanruo Xu, PhD, is a graduate in clinical psychology from the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology at Adelphi University. An international student from China, her research focuses on attitudes toward mental health and the impact of psychoeducation in short-term psychotherapy for individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, with an emphasis on multicultural approaches in psychotherapy.

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Published

2026-03-10

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Vol. 16 No. 10 (2026): Journal of International Students

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Research Articles (English, regular edition)

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Copyright (c) 2026 Diyue Dou, Han Wang, Yuanruo Xu

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How to Cite

Dou, D., Wang, H., & Xu, Y. (2026). Exploring the moderating role of therapist approaches in short-term therapy outcomes for Asian international students. Journal of International Students, 16(10), 69-88. https://doi.org/10.32674/z02zf138