The Effects of Stressors on Academic Performance of International Students in Jiangsu University: The Moderating Role of Coping Strategies

Abstract

Abstract: This paper examined the effects of stressors on academic performance of international students in Jiangsu University: the moderating role of coping strategies. The sample comprised randomly selected 228 international students from the university across all levels; bachelor, masters and PhD. We used multiple linear regression model to estimate the findings. Among our empirical results are: (1) stressors have adversative effects on students’ academic performance. (2) Male and female international students differ with regard to the effects of stressors on their academic performance. (3) The effect of stressors on students’ academic performance differ among bachelor, masters and PhD international students. (4) International students employed different strategies of coping throughout their study duration in order to minimize their stress levels and to attain higher levels of academic performance. The study found that, Problem-focused strategies were positively related to international students’ academic performance on the premise of its ability to minimize stress. Based on the empirical findings, we profess appropriate recommendations to stakeholders for action. Keywords: Stressors, International Students Academic Performance, Coping Strategies