The Role Of Academic, Cultural, And Language Stresses On Physical Activity Among International College Students

Abstract

There were 1.09 million international college students in the U.S. as of 2018 (Institute of International Education). Previous studies showed that many international students experienced academic stress, as well as language and cultural stresses (Yan & FitzPatrick, 2015). Further, previous studies also indicated that the U.S. cultural may facilitate participation in physical activity for international students (Yan & Cardinal, 2013). It is unclear whether those different types of stresses and time in the U.S. would be associated with their participation in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). PURPOSE: The present study aimed to examine whether academic, cultural, and language stresses, as well as time in the U.S. would predict MVPA among international college students. METHODS: Participants were 249 international college students (48.2% female; Mage = 27.48, SD = 6.12) enrolled in a public research university in Southern U.S.. MVPA was measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (Craig et al., 2003). Previously validated scales were used to measure students’ perceived academic stress (e.g., “I worry about my academic performance”); cultural stress (e.g., “It’s hard for me to develop opposite-sex relationships here”); and language stress (e.g., “My English embarrasses me when I talk to people”). Time in the U.S. was measured by asking how many months they had been in the U.S.. Finally, gender and BMI were also measured. RESULTS: The independent T test showed that males participated significantly more MVPA than females (Male: M = 293.71 METs; Female: M = 241.79 METs); t(245) = 3.09, p<.01. The multiple regression model with gender and BMI controlled was statistically significant, F(6,242) = 3.37, p < .01, R2 = 7.7%. Cultural stress significantly predicted MVPA (β = -.21, p <.01), with higher cultural stress was associated with lower MVPA. Language stress, academic stress, and time in the U.S. did not predict MVPA. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that cultural stress was related to MVPA among international college students. However, it is unclear whether experiencing more cultural stress discourage MVPA or participating MVPA helps international students manage their cultural stress. To answer this question, qualitative studies and interventional studies are needed in the future.