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; Eric Lim

doi:10.1016/j.teln.2023.10.022

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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

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teln.2023.10.022

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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.

Details

Title: Mental health and coping strategies among international health science students in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors/Creators: Ambili Nair - Curtin University
Fatch Kalembo - Curtin University
Huaqiong Zhou - Curtin University
Linda Ng - University of Southern Queensland
Glenda Hawley - The University of Queensland
Aaron Grogan - The University of Queensland
Leo Ng - Swinburne University of Technology
Wai Chen - Fiona Stanley Hospital
Judith Daire - Curtin University
Eric Lim - Murdoch University, School of Nursing
Publication Details: Teaching and learning in nursing, Vol.19(1), pp.e208-e216
Publisher: Elsevier Inc. on behalf of Organization for Associate Degree Nursing.
Number of pages: 9
Identifiers: 991005731786307891
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Nursing
Resource Type: Journal article

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