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From Challenges to Coping Strategies: A Study on Academic Integration and Psychological Well-Being among International Students at Chinese Universities

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Title: From Challenges to Coping Strategies: A Study on Academic Integration and Psychological Well-Being among International Students at Chinese Universities
Language: English
Authors: Rabia Mahmood, Waqas Ahm, Sadaf Mahmood, Rao Muhammad Faisal Suleman, Muhammad Shabbir, Freda Yangrong Wang
Source: Journal of International Students. 2026 16(3):35-62.
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: 28
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Foreign Students, Barriers, Coping, Resilience (Psychology), Well Being, Mental Health, College Students, Cultural Differences, Access to Health Care, Second Language Learning, Acculturation, Student Attitudes, Student Characteristics, Educational Practices
Geographic Terms: China
ISSN: 2162-3104
2166-3750
Abstract: International students in China face interrelated cultural, academic, and psychological challenges that shape their adaptation and well-being. This study explored these difficulties and the coping strategies that students employ in Chinese higher education. Drawing on Berry's acculturation theory and Lazarus and Folkman's coping theory, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 international students across six locations. Thematic analysis identified key obstacles, including language barriers, unfamiliar pedagogies, delayed stipends, high academic demands, and perceived discrimination. These factors contribute to acculturative stress, homesickness, social isolation, and depressive symptoms. Students nonetheless demonstrated resilience through emotion-focused coping, such as peer support, virtual family contact, and religious or cultural practices, and problem-focused strategies, including structured study habits, institutional navigation, and language improvement. The findings show that institutional limitations, particularly inadequate mental health services and weak language support, can heighten psychological distress.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1495340
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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  Data: From Challenges to Coping Strategies: A Study on Academic Integration and Psychological Well-Being among International Students at Chinese Universities
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rabia+Mahmood%22">Rabia Mahmood</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Waqas+Ahm%22">Waqas Ahm</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sadaf+Mahmood%22">Sadaf Mahmood</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rao+Muhammad+Faisal+Suleman%22">Rao Muhammad Faisal Suleman</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Muhammad+Shabbir%22">Muhammad Shabbir</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Freda+Yangrong+Wang%22">Freda Yangrong Wang</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+International+Students%22"><i>Journal of International Students</i></searchLink>. 2026 16(3):35-62.
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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: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Students%22">Foreign Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Barriers%22">Barriers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Coping%22">Coping</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Resilience+%28Psychology%29%22">Resilience (Psychology)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Well+Being%22">Well Being</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mental+Health%22">Mental Health</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Students%22">College Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cultural+Differences%22">Cultural Differences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Access+to+Health+Care%22">Access to Health Care</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Second+Language+Learning%22">Second Language Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Acculturation%22">Acculturation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Characteristics%22">Student Characteristics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Practices%22">Educational Practices</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22China%22">China</searchLink>
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  Data: 2162-3104<br />2166-3750
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: International students in China face interrelated cultural, academic, and psychological challenges that shape their adaptation and well-being. This study explored these difficulties and the coping strategies that students employ in Chinese higher education. Drawing on Berry's acculturation theory and Lazarus and Folkman's coping theory, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 international students across six locations. Thematic analysis identified key obstacles, including language barriers, unfamiliar pedagogies, delayed stipends, high academic demands, and perceived discrimination. These factors contribute to acculturative stress, homesickness, social isolation, and depressive symptoms. Students nonetheless demonstrated resilience through emotion-focused coping, such as peer support, virtual family contact, and religious or cultural practices, and problem-focused strategies, including structured study habits, institutional navigation, and language improvement. The findings show that institutional limitations, particularly inadequate mental health services and weak language support, can heighten psychological distress.
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1495340
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 28
        StartPage: 35
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Barriers
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      – SubjectFull: Coping
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      – SubjectFull: Resilience (Psychology)
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      – SubjectFull: Well Being
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      – SubjectFull: Mental Health
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      – SubjectFull: College Students
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      – SubjectFull: Cultural Differences
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      – SubjectFull: Access to Health Care
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Second Language Learning
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      – SubjectFull: Acculturation
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      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Practices
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      – SubjectFull: China
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: From Challenges to Coping Strategies: A Study on Academic Integration and Psychological Well-Being among International Students at Chinese Universities
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