Understanding the Risk and Protective Factors Associated with Depressive Symptoms amongst International Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
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| Title: | Understanding the Risk and Protective Factors Associated with Depressive Symptoms amongst International Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Shawn Raphael Tan Wen-Xuan, Ashleigh Lin, Colleen Fisher, Hamza Bouras, Craig D’Mello, James Hill, Aims Hansen, Ross Marriott |
| Source: | Journal of International Students. 2025 15(10):199-249. |
| Availability: | Journal of International Students. 4005 Spurgeon Drive #6, Monroe, LA 71203. Tel: 318-600-5743; Fax: 318-342-3131; e-mail: jis@ojed.org; Web site: https://www.ojed.org/index.php/jis/index |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 51 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Information Analyses |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Depression (Psychology), Foreign Students, Risk, Resilience (Psychology), College Students, Acculturation, Social Support Groups, Interpersonal Relationship, Language Usage, Stress Variables, Coping, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Language Proficiency, Barriers, Foreign Countries |
| Geographic Terms: | Australia, North America, Asia, Europe |
| Assessment and Survey Identifiers: | Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales, Brief Symptom Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Zung Self Rating Depression Scale, Hopkins Symptom Checklist |
| ISSN: | 2162-3104 2166-3750 |
| Abstract: | International students face unique challenges, placing them at high risk of experiencing mental disorders. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to investigate 20 predetermined, modifiable exposures associated with depressive symptoms. The literature search included cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies in English. Eighty-four studies with 148,510 international tertiary students were included, 43 of which (12,721 participants) were meta-analyzed. Four exposures were significantly associated with depressive symptoms in international tertiary students: acculturative stress was most strongly associated (summary Pearson's correlation, r = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.39 to 0.49), followed by social support (r = -0.29, 95% CI = -0.35 to -0.22), social connectedness (r = -0.26, 95% CI -0.36 to -0.15), and language (r = -0.18, 95% CI = -0.23 to -0.11). To our knowledge, this systematic review and meta-analysis are the first to quantify associations between modifiable exposures and depressive symptoms, specifically in international tertiary students. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1484115 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | International students face unique challenges, placing them at high risk of experiencing mental disorders. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to investigate 20 predetermined, modifiable exposures associated with depressive symptoms. The literature search included cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies in English. Eighty-four studies with 148,510 international tertiary students were included, 43 of which (12,721 participants) were meta-analyzed. Four exposures were significantly associated with depressive symptoms in international tertiary students: acculturative stress was most strongly associated (summary Pearson's correlation, r = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.39 to 0.49), followed by social support (r = -0.29, 95% CI = -0.35 to -0.22), social connectedness (r = -0.26, 95% CI -0.36 to -0.15), and language (r = -0.18, 95% CI = -0.23 to -0.11). To our knowledge, this systematic review and meta-analysis are the first to quantify associations between modifiable exposures and depressive symptoms, specifically in international tertiary students. |
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| ISSN: | 2162-3104 2166-3750 |
