School Psychologists as Mental Health Providers for International College Students: Insights from Current Research

Liao (Pei-Chun), Pham (Sofia)

 

Submission type

Poster only

Scheduled

Hallway, 10-07-2019, 15:30 - 17:00

Keywords

Mental Health; International College Student; Social Emotional Learning; Multi-tier System of Supports

Summary

International students constitute an increasingly relevant and important source of diversity on college campuses, with over 4.8 million international students worldwide (Global Migration Indicators, 2018). International college students’ transition to college is uniquely challenging  because they experience homesickness, cultural differences, role conflicts, and problems with social integration as well as English proficiency (Hendrickson, Rosen, & Aune, 2011; Smith & Khawaja, 2011) in addition to the academic, socio-emotional, functional, and interpersonal stressors common for college students (Gerdes & Mallinckrodt, 1994).

The study will initially present a system of review of influential factors contributing to mental health outcomes among international college students. In addition, literature regarding the effects of college social emotional programs on international students’ wellbeing will be reviewed. Finally, the preliminary findings addressing possible protective factors, buffering the effects of acculturative stress on international college students’ psychological outcomes, will be summarized.

Drawing on the reviewed research, a three-tiered framework will be proposed to guide school psychologists in their work to support the socio-emotional challenges pertinent to international college students. The overarching goal of this presentation is to prepare school psychologists expand their role in college settings by applying a multi-tiered system of supports framework.

Auteurs