TY - JOUR
T1 - Perceived Discrimination as a Threat to the Mental Health of Chinese International Students in Australia
AU - Zhao, Jian
AU - Chapman, Elaine
AU - Houghton, Stephen
AU - Lawrence, David
PY - 2022/2/4
Y1 - 2022/2/4
N2 - In this study, a brief instrument (the Mental Health Change Indicator Scale, MHCIS) was developed for use in assessing the impact of a negative event on mental health. The instrument was then used to compare the reported impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of Chinese university students studying either in China (n = 734) or Australia (n = 108). Perceived discrimination and social support were also evaluated as possible mediators of the relationship between country of residence (Australia vs China), and mental health impact. Results suggested that the 10-item MHCIS was unidimensional and psychometrically sound, and that the pandemic had a significantly (p < 0.001) more negative impact on the mental health of Chinese students studying in Australia than on those studying in China. Perceived discrimination was identified as a key mediating factor in this relationship. Possible implications for higher education institutions in Australia are discussed. Copyright © 2022 Zhao, Chapman, Houghton and Lawrence.
AB - In this study, a brief instrument (the Mental Health Change Indicator Scale, MHCIS) was developed for use in assessing the impact of a negative event on mental health. The instrument was then used to compare the reported impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of Chinese university students studying either in China (n = 734) or Australia (n = 108). Perceived discrimination and social support were also evaluated as possible mediators of the relationship between country of residence (Australia vs China), and mental health impact. Results suggested that the 10-item MHCIS was unidimensional and psychometrically sound, and that the pandemic had a significantly (p < 0.001) more negative impact on the mental health of Chinese students studying in Australia than on those studying in China. Perceived discrimination was identified as a key mediating factor in this relationship. Possible implications for higher education institutions in Australia are discussed. Copyright © 2022 Zhao, Chapman, Houghton and Lawrence.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85124901364&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/feduc.2022.726614
DO - 10.3389/feduc.2022.726614
M3 - Article
SN - 2504-284X
VL - 7
JO - Frontiers in Education
JF - Frontiers in Education
M1 - 726614
ER -