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Mental health and coping strategies among international health science students in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Mental health and coping strategies among international health science students in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic

Ambili Nair, Fatch Kalembo, Huaqiong Zhou, Linda Ng, Glenda Hawley, Aaron Grogan, Leo Ng, Wai Chen, Judith Daire and Eric Lim
Teaching and learning in nursing, Vol.19(1), pp.e208-e216
2024
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CC BY V4.0 Open Access

Abstract

Australia coping strategies COVID-19 international students psychological distress
Background Amidst the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, international students face significant mental health burdens. Aim This study aimed to explore international health science students’ mental health and coping abilities during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Methodology A survey was conducted between May and September 2022 using an online questionnaire with the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale and Coping Self-Efficacy Scale. Findings A total of 105 international students from 3 Australian universities were recruited with 84% of the participants being nursing students. There was no comparison group of local/Australian-born students. Psychological distress was reported by 67% of respondents. Problem-focused coping prevailed with higher scores than emotional-focused and social support coping. Financial struggles with rent increased psychological distress likelihood, while social support mitigated it. Social support coping was significantly associated with psychological distress, clinical placement, and problem-focused and emotional-focused coping. Emotional-focused and Problem-focused coping was associated with participants’ age. Discussion The study underscores the need for affordable housing and support networks while recognizing the interdependence of coping dimensions for enhancing students' overall well-being.

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being

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