Analysis of the risk factors for maladjustment states formation in international English-speaking students

Abstract

The problem of providing full-fledged higher education while training qualified specialists is currently an urgent task of medical universities not only in Ukraine, but also in the entire civilized world. In recent years, the number of international students studying in English has significantly increased at the Kharkiv National Medical University (approximately 3,500 from 85 countries). One of the most important pedagogical tasks of any higher educational institution is work with students, aimed at faster and more successful adaptation of them to the system of education, to the new system of social relations, to their mastering the new role of students. 372 international English-speking students of I–VI courses of the Kharkiv National Medical University, of both sexes (223 men, 149 women) with an average age of (19±3) years, took part in the study. All examinees were divided into three groups: group I – 194 students from India; group II – 96 students from Asian countries; group III – 82 students from African countries. The main psychosocial risk factors for the development of maladjustment states among international students were identified: change in the life stereotype; necessity for adaptation in a new team; difficult study material, complex terminology; strict academic discipline, mandatory completion of missed classes and lectures. Also, students do not follow the usual daily routine (studying and resting), there is excessive drinking, smoking, they had signs of Internet addiction. The surveyed students note a lack of positive emotions; awareness of an insufficient level of educational preparation; low level of motivation; imperfection of psychological coping mechanisms; lack of self-regulation skills. The data obtained in the course of the study regarding psychodiagnostic manifestations of maladaptive states in students determine the direction of methods for correction and prevention of adjustment disorders in students. Keywords: adaptation mechanisms, manifestations of maladjustment states, education, medical education.