Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 20, Issue 3, 2018, Pages 651-657

Psychological Distress in Iranian International Students at an Australian University (Article)

Nahidi S.* , Blignault I. , Hayen A. , Razee H.
  • a School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
  • b School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, Centre for Health Research, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, Australia
  • c School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
  • d School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

Abstract

This study investigated psychological distress in Iranian international students at UNSW Australia, and explored the psychosocial factors associated with high levels of distress. A total of 180 Iranian international students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate degrees during 2012/2013 completed an email questionnaire containing socio-demographic items and five standardized and validated scales. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyse the predictors of psychological distress. Compared to domestic and international students at two other Australian universities, a significantly smaller proportion of Iranian international students scored as distressed on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Greater levels of psychological distress were associated with being female, poorer physical health, less social support, less religious involvement and spirituality, and negative attitudes towards seeking professional psychological help. Findings from this growing group of international students can help inform culturally competent mental health promotion and service provision in their host countries. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Author Keywords

Australia International students Mental health Iranian Psychological distress

Index Keywords

Australia human epidemiology Stress, Psychological mental stress ethnology Iran Cross-Sectional Studies Young Adult student cross-sectional study Humans psychology Adolescent male female Universities university adult Students
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85018941939&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-017-0590-8&partnerID=40&md5=d6e8436c6bd9b6a4eb474cceadc8fea1
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-017-0590-8
ISSN: 15571912
Original Language: English