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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
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
FullText Text:
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  Data: 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
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  Data: 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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  Data: 2025
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  Data: EJ1484115
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      – Text: English
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        StartPage: 199
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