Chinese International Students’ Stressors and Coping Strategies in the United States

Objectives Educational Importance of This Study Definitions Chinese International Students in the United States: Demographic Trends, Motivations, and Acculturation Features The History and Demographics of Chinese International Students Chinese International Students in the United States: 1890-1950 Chinese International Students in the United States: After 1978 Chinese Students’ Motivation to Study Abroad Chinese Students’ Group-Level Acculturation Features in America Culture and Ethnic Relations in America Chinese Students ’ Group-Level Acculturation Features Culture Features Social Features Employment and Immigration Chinese International Students in the United States: Adjustment Problems and Coping Behaviors Chinese Students’ Adjustment Issues Academic Challenges Language Barrier Incongruities in the Educational System Between China and the United States Sociocultural Problems Cultural Shock and Social Isolation Financial Limitations Concern over Visa Status and Immigration Coping and Help-Seeking Behaviors Barrier to Pursuing Counseling Coping Resource and Social Support Psychological Coping Strategies: Confucianism Endurance and Taoism “Take It Easy”Support Mechanism Family Support Support from Chinese Student Community Berry’s Stress-Coping Framework Factors in Berry’s Model Group-Level (Macro-Level) Factors Society of Origin Society of Settlement Group-Level Acculturation Individual Level (Microlevel) Factors Factors Existing Prior to Acculturation Factors Arising During Acculturation Summary Methodology: Methodology Justification Data Sources and Collection Procedures Quantitative Data Collection Survey Construction Pilot Work Survey Distribution Analysis of Survey Data Qualitative Data Collection Semi-structured Interviews The Sample Interview Structure and Format Reliability and Validity Analysis of the Qualitative Data Ethical Considerations Survey Findings Demographic Data Survey Findings Stressors Coping and Help-Seeking Behaviors Academic Stress and Academic Coping Strategy Sociocultural Challenges Language Barrier and Strategies Financial Pressure and Strategies Job Opportunities and Visa Problems Acculturation Strategy Coping Strategies Summary of Individual Variables Chinese International Students’ Stressors in the United States Interview Results Settings of the Study Participants Interview Results Personal Concerns Loneliness and Homesickness Pressure from Dating or Marriage Job Opportunities and Visa Problems Financial Pressure Sociocultural Concerns Interactions with Americans Language and Culture Deficiency Values Clash Academic Concerns Language Achievement Interactions with Faculties Summary of Stressors Chinese International Students’ Coping Strategies in the United States Coping Strategies Problem-Focused Strategies Direct Action Help and Social Support Seeking Emotion-Focused Strategies Endurance Taoism “Take it Easy”Avoidance Discharge Emotions Hierarchical Ordering of Priorities Acceptance Positive Reappraisal Coping Beliefs and Attitudes Towards Counseling Perceptions Toward Counseling Lack of Knowledge Counseling Lack of Need for Counseling Doubts About the Ability of a “Stranger” to Help Stigma Attached to Counseling Service Alternative Sources of Support Expectations and Suggestions Ethnical Match and Gender Match Counselor Style: Expected Greater Interaction and Expertise from Counselors Suggestions Summary of Coping Strategies and Beliefs An Examination of Individual-Level Factors in Stress and Coping Process Individual-Level (Microlevel) Factors Factors Prior to Acculturation Age Gender Majors Expectation Knowledge and Skills Factors during Acculturation Length of Stay Acculturation Strategies Coping Strategies Social Support Support from Family Support from Friends Host National Support Support from Church Professional Support from Counseling Summary Summary of the Study Objectives Methodology Data Analysis Overview of the Results Chinese International Students’ Stressors Personal Concerns Sociocultural Concerns Academic Stress Coping Beliefs and Behaviors of Chinese International Students Implications American University Community Chinese International Students Recommendations Recommendations for American Universities Recommendations for Professors Recommendations for Chinese International Students Limitations of the Study Implications for Future Research