Future-Oriented Stress and Coping: Experiences of Vietnamese International Students in Canada (Poster 33)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Friday 9:50 a.m.
  In Poster Session: Psychological Well-Being and Coping Mechanisms in Higher Education

Abstract

This qualitative study examines the complex factors contributing to future-oriented stress among Vietnamese international students and their coping strategies. Data were collected through 24 online in-depth semi-structured interviews. The study utilizes a conceptual framework from previous research, incorporating key social and cultural values within the Vietnamese context and Confucian principles to interpret the findings. The results identify four major sources of future-oriented stress: academic pressure, career-related challenges, immigration anxieties, and a pervasive sense of uncertainty about the future. Students use proactive and preventive coping strategies to achieve future goals and manage stress. Additionally, they practice self-care as a strategic coping mechanism, highlighting their pragmatic approach to challenges, resilience, and preparedness for various outcomes in their academic and professional journeys.

Authors

• Thong Trinh, University of California - Berkeley

• Thu Thi-Kim Le, University of Windsor