2022/10/18 by Kaiwen Bi, Desmond Yeoh, Qiwenjing Jiang +2
Psychology · Social Sciences · #COVID-19 and Mental Health #International Student and Expatriate Challenges #Racial and Ethnic Identity Research
paper · doi:10.1080/10615806.2022.2130268
openalex publication_date 2022/10/18 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese international students (CISs) experienced distress associated with both unique and universal stressors, among which everyday discrimination may be especially harmful. DESIGN: Cross-sectional design. METHODS: = 305) and examined correlates of distress including the association between everyday discrimination and distress as well as moderators on this link. RESULTS: Compared to CSCCs, CISs reported greater depression and anxiety. Sensitivity analyses - multiple regressions controlling for covariates and coarsened exact matched (CEM) comparisons - replicated the results. 28.6% CISs reported suicidal ideation (PHQ-9 item 9) at least several days during the past two weeks. Within CISs, depression was associated with being older, female, non-heterosexual, increased everyday discrimination, decreased self-esteem, coping flexibility, perceived social support, and satisfaction with online learning. Anxiety was associated with being in undergraduate years, female, increased discrimination, decreased self-esteem, coping flexibility, and satisfaction with online learning. High perceived social support and being heterosexual weakened the association between discrimination and anxiety and depression, while high self-esteem strengthened the association between discrimination and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Our study underscored the distress experienced by CISs and highlighted risk/protective factors that may warrant attention.