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Do predictors of mental health differ between home and international students studying in the UK?

  • Catrin Pedder Jones
    ,
  • Annemarie Lodder
    ,
  • Chris Papadopoulos
Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Sustainable Development Goals

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well

Abstract

Purpose Previous research has found that international students can experience poor mental health, low levels of life satisfaction, self-esteem and high levels of loneliness when studying in a foreign country. No study has directly compared these between international and home students studying in the UK. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach A total of 247 students completed an online survey at the University of Bedfordshire. Findings The hypothesis that international students experience higher loneliness, lower self-esteem, lower life satisfaction and poorer general mental health than home students was rejected. Home students had significantly lower self-esteem, life satisfaction and general mental health scores. Black ethnicity and home student status significantly predicted general mental health and self-esteem in regression analyses. The predictive utility of home student status was maintained when other variables were controlled for in regression models. Originality/value This research suggests that the UK universities should ensure that both home and international students are adequately supported for their mental health.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 224-234

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education (Volume 11, Issue 2)

Publication milestones

  • Published - 08/04/2019

Publication status

Published - 08/04/2019

ISSN

1758-1184

External Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/624144
  • Scopus: 85061029833

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