We investigated international students’ stress-driven spending behavior by focusing on the psychological and behavioral consequences of the strains they experience during the adjustment process in the U.S. We found that certain adjustment strains significantly lowered international students’ self-esteem, which further affected their happiness and engagement in compulsive online buying. This study highlights the importance of understanding underlying drivers and consequences of international students’ adjustment strains to facilitate better adaptation to a foreign culture and to prevent negative consumption tendencies. © Journal of International Students.

International students Self-esteem Happiness Adjustment strains Compulsive online buying

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