Economic Stress of International Students: What Counselors Should Know

Authors

Yuh-Jen Guo, St. Cloud State UniversityFollow
Shu-Ching Wang, St. Cloud State UniversityFollow
Angela P. Wong, St. Cloud State UniversityFollow
George A. Loftis, St. Cloud State UniversityFollow
Jada M. Mathison, St. Cloud State UniversityFollow
Megan K. Ashpole, St. Cloud State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Empirical Research Article

Keywords

International student counseling, Economic stress, College student stress

Subject Area

Higher Education Counseling, Mental Health Counseling

Abstract

College students encounter high levels of stress due to intensive demands from developmental and academic tasks. In addition to the stress induced by developmental and academic tasks, economic stress adds substantial distress to college students. Economic contraction is known to bring up mental health concerns in society. Financial stress and diminished optimism are affected by distressful economic conditions. This study examined the different perceptions of economic stress between American students and international students of one English for Speakers of Other Language (ESOL) program. International students in this study sustained equally high economic stress but were more sensitive to the economic downturn. The results provide an opportunity to inform counselors how to better work with international students regarding their economic stress.

Recommended Citation

Guo, Y., Wang, S., Wong, A. P., Loftis, G. A., Mathison, J. M., & Ashpole, M. K. (2019). Economic Stress of International Students: What Counselors Should Know. Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 12(4). Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.sacredheart.edu/jcps/vol12/iss4/3