Academic stress, psychological adaptation, and sociocultural adaptation of undergraduate international students in the University of Santo Tomas

Carla Maries I Ricafort, Jescel Mari C Rivera and Beryl P Battad

Academic stress, psychological adaptation, and sociocultural adaptation of undergraduate international students in the University of Santo Tomas

Carla Maries I Ricafort, Jescel Mari C Rivera and Beryl P Battad

University of Santo Tomas, Philippines

: Int J Ment Health Psychiatry

Abstract

Introduction: International students (IS) are vulnerable individuals that often experience challenges in adaptation, which leads them to experience anxiety and depression. The Philippines has become a popular choice for international study, but there is a lack of knowledge about adaptation status of international students in the country. This study aims to fill the gap of knowledge regarding the adaptation status of international students in the Philippines by determining the level of academic stress (AS), psychological adaptation (PA) and sociocultural adaptation (SCA) experienced by international students enrolled in a metropolitan university in Manila, Philippines and to find a significant correlation among the 3 variables. Method: Using a descriptive-correlational design, the researchers combined 2 survey tools to determine the level of AS, PA and SCA. Pearson correlation was used to determine if there is a significant difference between the 3 variables. Convenience sampling was used to gather the participants. A total of 59 undergraduate international students participated in the study. The rights of the participants were upheld throughout the entire study. Results: Results show that the participants experience moderate levels of academic stress (mean=3.83, SD=1.49), moderate levels of psychological adaptation (mean=3.43, SD=1.49), and high levels of sociocultural adaptation (mean=4.42, SD=1.38). The results also show that AS is significantly correlated to PA, PA is significantly correlated to SCA, and AS is not significantly correlated to SCA. Discussion: Undergraduate IS experience moderate stress in school, adapt moderately using various coping patterns, and adapt highly to other people and their surroundings. IS became more psychologically adapted as they experienced more stress, while they became less stressed when they built relationships and explored their surroundings. Interventions for specific concerns should be addressed individually.