Examining Gender Differences in Sense of Belonging, Academic Satisfaction, and Well-Being Among International Undergraduate Students

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 11
  In Roundtable Session: Comparative International Education (Table 26)

Abstract

Every year, a significant number of international students are admitted into American universities. In the process of adjusting, international student experience challenges in their new environment that influences their wellbeing. The goal of this study was to examine relationships among sense of belonging, academic satisfaction, and wellbeing variables (i.e., life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect) in a sample of ninety (N=90) undergraduate international students. These students participated in an online survey. A multi-group analysis indicated that sense of belonging directly predicted academic satisfaction, positive affect, and life satisfaction for female international students. Interestingly, for male students, sense of belonging directly predicted negative affect and academic satisfaction, which in turn predicted life satisfaction. Limitations and educational implications are discussed.

Authors

• Maryam Saroughi, George Mason University

• Adebisi Lawson, George Mason University

• Anastasia Kitsantas, George Mason University