Assessment of psychosocial stressors and maladjustment among foreign students of the University of the Ryukyus.

Abstract

An extensive survey of problems encountered by foreign students of the University of the Ryukyus and the resulting levels of stress was carried out in order to determine the main stressors hindering academic progress and personal adjustment. Subjectively perceived stress levels after arrival in Japan were obtained from 134 subjects through a comprehensive questionnaire for reporting specific stressors. The 30-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) was included to assess mental health state. Differences in scores by area of origin were also determined for the total GHQ scores and its sub-scales. The GHQ results showed that regardless of length of time in Japan, more than 60% of the subjects scored within a range usually indicative of a mental health risk. Mean scores by area of origin showed a 50% reduction over time for non-Chinese Asians and North American/Europeans, but only a reduction of 1.1% or less for Chinese, Latin American, Middle/Near Eastern and African subjects. Limitations in achievement of academic goals were reported by the greatest number of students as causing moderate to excessive stress (57.5%); most frequently reported causes were language inadequacy (55.2%), reference materials unavailable (34.3%), unfamiliarity with Japanese study methods (32.1%), and inadequate guidance from teachers/advisors (26.9%). Various social, personal and daily life problems in the non-academic setting were also reported as causing high stress levels. Most of the stressors identified are not considered inevitable and point toward directions to pursue in preventive strategies in mitigating psychological distress and maladjustment of students.