Psychological Well-Being of Postsecondary International Students: Moderated Mediating Effects of Social Support and Cultural Adaptation

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 4:20 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Mental Health and Student Well-Being in Global Contexts (Table 7)

Abstract

The current study examines how international students’ positive psychological capital (PsyCap) in higher education relates to cultural adaptation and psychological well-being and how cultural adaptation mediates the relationship between PsyCap and well-being. We also explore the moderation of social support on the mediation effect. Data were collected from international students at a large public university in South Korea. Structural equation modeling and moderating analysis were employed to analyze 275 cases. The results indicated that international students’ PsyCap was positively related to their cultural adaptation and well-being. Their cultural adaptation also mediated the relationship between their PsyCap and well-being. Finally, social support moderated the mediation effects. Discussion, implications, and recommendations for future research are provided.

Authors

• Dong-Yeol Yoon, Konkuk University

• DaeSeok Chai, Texas A&M University

• Caleb Seung-hyun Han, University of Georgia