WHAT MATTERS MOST FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES OF INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: THE PREDOMINANT ROLE OF ACADEMIC STRESS

Abstract

Students encounter a range of complex challenges throughout their academic journeys, particularly when pursuing studies abroad. Some of the leading challenges include boredom, low self-worth, social withdrawal, and poor emotional control in maintaining stable mental health. This study examines the mental health issues of international university students, including communication, academic stress, financial difficulties, and culture adaptation. A study involved 244 university students from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, all of whom were pursuing their education in Malaysia. The data were obtained through an adapted instrument based on an established and validated questionnaire. The findings indicated that only one significant factor affected their mental health, which was academic stress. This study identified that academic stress was the only statistically significant factor influencing the mental health of international students, underscoring the critical importance of effective academic stress management in supporting their overall well-being. Despite common perceptions, communication skills, culture adaptation, and financial difficulties were found to be insignificant. Hence, the university student affairs department should foreground stress-mitigation strategies as a central component of their support services.