Mental Health and Social Connectivity: The Positive Role of Neighborhood Interaction for International Students in Japan
Saved in:
| Title: | Mental Health and Social Connectivity: The Positive Role of Neighborhood Interaction for International Students in Japan |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Robert Day, Keiko Nakamura, Yuri Tashiro |
| Source: | Journal of International Students. 2025 15(9):75-98. |
| 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: | 24 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, Foreign Students, Mental Health, Interpersonal Relationship, Interaction, Neighborhoods, College Students, Stress Variables, Place of Residence, Housing |
| Geographic Terms: | Japan (Tokyo) |
| ISSN: | 2162-3104 2166-3750 |
| Abstract: | The Japanese government aims to increase the number of inbound international students by 2033. International students' mental health is affected by various environmental stressors, including 'living space' which is an important but understudied element. A cross-sectional study was therefore conducted in the Greater Tokyo area through a self-administered online survey for international students, with questions regarding characteristics of living space as well as a subset of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) to assess mental health status. Data were collected from 177 international students, who were mostly postgraduate (95%), from Asia (72%), and 40% exhibited symptoms of moderate psychological distress (GHQ-12=14 pts). A multivariable Poisson regression analysis revealed that the absence of 'socialization opportunities with nearby residents' was associated with an increased prevalence of moderate psychological distress, although notably the association was only observable for those students who had lived in Japan for more than one year (PR 1.79, p<0.05). |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1484277 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | The Japanese government aims to increase the number of inbound international students by 2033. International students' mental health is affected by various environmental stressors, including 'living space' which is an important but understudied element. A cross-sectional study was therefore conducted in the Greater Tokyo area through a self-administered online survey for international students, with questions regarding characteristics of living space as well as a subset of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) to assess mental health status. Data were collected from 177 international students, who were mostly postgraduate (95%), from Asia (72%), and 40% exhibited symptoms of moderate psychological distress (GHQ-12=14 pts). A multivariable Poisson regression analysis revealed that the absence of 'socialization opportunities with nearby residents' was associated with an increased prevalence of moderate psychological distress, although notably the association was only observable for those students who had lived in Japan for more than one year (PR 1.79, p<0.05). |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2162-3104 2166-3750 |
