Unravelling Factors Shaping International Students’ Learning and Mental Wellbeing During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Integrative Review

Huaqiong Zhou, Fatch Kalembo, Ambili Nair, Eric Lim, Xiang-Yu Hou and Linda Ng ()
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Huaqiong Zhou: Curtin School of Nursing, Curtin University, Perth 6102, Australia
Fatch Kalembo: Curtin School of Nursing, Curtin University, Perth 6102, Australia
Ambili Nair: Curtin School of Nursing, Curtin University, Perth 6102, Australia
Eric Lim: Curtin School of Nursing, Curtin University, Perth 6102, Australia
Xiang-Yu Hou: Broken Hill University Department of Rural Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2880, Australia
Linda Ng: School of Nursing & Midwifery, University of Southern Queensland, Ipswich 4350, Australia

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 22, issue 1, 1-27

Abstract: The international tertiary education sector was significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic due to the risk of negative learning and psychosocial experiences. Most international students who remained in the host countries demonstrated admirable resilience and adaptability during those challenging times. An integrative review of factors shaping international students’ learning and mental wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic was conducted. Five electronic databases—CINAHL, MEDLINE, ProQuest, PsycINFO, and Web of Science—were searched from 2020 to 2023 using the key search terms ‘international students’, ‘tertiary education’, ‘mental health and wellbeing’, and ‘COVID’. A total of 38 studies were included in this review. They revealed six factors across learning and psychosocial experiences. Predisposing factors for maladjustments included the students being younger and possessing poor English proficiency. Precipitating factors were related to online teaching/learning, and lack of accessibility and or insufficient learning and living resources. Perpetuating factors pertained to living arrangements. The protective factor identified was institutional support. This review highlighted that multifaceted factors were associated with international students’ experiences and mental health and wellbeing. In-depth understanding of risk and protective factors can help policymakers to prepare for unprecedented challenges and reduce disruptions to international students’ education and mental health when studying abroad.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; international students; learning experiences; mental health; wellbeing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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