Sources of Acculturative Stress and Coping Strategies Among Asian International Students in China

This study aimed to identify sources of acculturative stress and the coping strategies among Asian international students in Hubei, China. A total sample of 162 students from China’s neighboring countries was recruited to complete the study’s online questionnaire. A 36-item questionnaire called the Acculturative Stress Scale for International Students (ASSIS) was used to measure perceived discrimination, homesickness, perceived hate, fear, culture shock, guilt, and miscellaneous as sources of acculturative stress. A brief COPE scale was used to measure coping strategies. Data from the survey were analyzed using statistical analysis. Results showed that overall, most Asian international students in Hubei, China did not experience acute acculturative stress. However, homesickness, cultural shock, and guilt were the most prevalent sources of acculturative stress. To cope with their stressful situations, most Asian international students used active (and not avoidant) coping strategies such as religion, active coping, planning, and instrumental support. Some socio-demographic characteristics such as length of stay, age, and education were also found to influence stress prevalence. Educators and administrators of international students in China need to identify students’ critical sources of stress among students and offer effective services that may help them cope with their acculturative stress.