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Psychological Distress in International University Students: An Australian Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 February 2012

Nigar Gohar Khawaja  and
Jenny Dempsey
Nigar Gohar Khawaja*
Affiliation:
Queensland University of Technology, Australia. [email protected]
Jenny Dempsey
Affiliation:
Queensland University of Technology, Australia.
*
*Address for Correspondence: Dr Nigar G. Khawaja, Senior Lecturer, School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Beams Road, Carseldine QLD 4034, Australia.
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Abstract

Australia is a much sought-after destination of study for many thousands of international university students. However, tertiary study brings with it many challenges that may potentially precipitate psychological distress in international students. Psychological distress may be experienced in various ways. The aim of this study was to investigate the manner in which psychological distress is manifested in international students and the factors that contribute to their psychological distress. The participants consisted of 86 international students enrolled at a Queensland university who completed a battery of 9 self-report questionnaires. Results showed that obsessive–compulsiveness reflected by worry, ruminations and perfectionist tendencies was the most common symptom of psychological distress in international students. Dysfunctional coping was the only factor contributing to psychological distress. These findings have important implications for the international students with reference to the assessment of their mental health issues and the designing of suitable intervention programs.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools , Volume 17 , Issue 1 , July 2007 , pp. 13 - 27
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007

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