The current situation and influential factors of ego-depletion of international graduate students in China

Abstract

Objective To examine the differences and influential factors of ego-depletion source and its aftereffects between Chinese and non-Chinese graduate students (international graduate students) enrolled graduate programs in Chinese Universities. Methods Three different questionnaires were employed to assess the current situation of ego-depletion of 647 graduate students: demographic information questionnaire, Ego Depletion Source Scale (EDS-S) in postgraduates and Ego Depletion Aftereffects Scale (EDA-S). Collected data were analyzed by an independent samples t test, correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis. Results ①The scores of non-Chinese graduate students in China (83.59±25.97) were higher than those of Chinese students (67.39±25.46) on EDA-S in postgraduates, the difference was significant (P<0.01). ②The scores of non-Chinese graduate students (132.71±19.89) were higher than those of Chinese students (104.15±33.02) on EDS-S, the difference was significant (P<0.01). ③Of all the 11 dimensions of EDS-S, social distress, challenging task, thought suppression, compulsive task positively anticipated the EDA-S for Chinese graduate students (R2adj=0.584, R2adj=0.450, R2adj=0.624, R2adj=0.615, P<0.05) and social distress, decision making, compulsive task positively anticipated the EDA-S for non-Chinese graduate students (R2adj=0.698, R2adj=0.603, R2adj=0.668, P<0.05). Conclusion Compared to Chinese graduate students, ego-depletion source and ego depletion aftereffects of non-Chinese graduate students were higher.Of all the 11 dimensions of EDS-S, social distress, challenging task, thought suppression, compulsive task was in high correlation with EDA-S for Chinese graduate students, and social distress, decision making, compulsive task was in high correlation with EDA-S for non-Chinese graduate students. Key words: Ego-depletion source; Ego-depletion aftereffects; Ego depletion; International students