Research in Community and Public Health Nursing (지역사회간호학회지)

Korean Academy of Community Health Nursing (한국지역사회간호학회)
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The Effects of Acculturative Stress, Career Stress, and Social Support on Depression in Korean International Students in China

중국 내 한국인 유학생의 문화적응 스트레스, 진로 스트레스, 사회적 지지가 우울에 미치는 영향

  • Lee, Ah Ra (Department of Health Examination Center, Konyang University Hospital) ;
  • Lee, Hye Kyung (Department of Nursing, Kongju National University)
  • Received : 2019.08.21
  • Accepted : 2020.03.04
  • Published : 2020.03.31
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Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the level of acculturative stress, career stress, social support and depression, and identify factors affecting depression among Korean international students in China. Methods: Data were collected from 157 Korean students studying in undergraduate, graduate, students exchange programs and language training courses in G university, J university, and S university in G city, Guangdong Province, China, from September 1 to October 27, 2017. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression. Results: The mean acculturative stress was 62.24±18.08 out of 165, whereas the mean career stress was 65.47±19.79 out of 125. The mean social support was 95.03±14.64 out of 125, and the mean depression score was 13.83±9.24 out of 60. The factor that had the greatest effect on depression among the participants was acculturative stress (β=.26, p=.001), followed by career stress (β=.24, p=.002), frequency of weekly phone calls with family (β=.19, p=.006), source of tuition payment (β=.18, p=.009), and self-perceived health (β=.15, p=.040). The model explained 33% of the variance. Conclusion: It is necessary to develop depression prevention and management programs as well as a customized health promotion program that account for the factors identified to have an effect on depression, namely, acculturative stress, career stress, frequency of weekly phone calls with family, source of tuition payment, and self-perceived health, and increase awareness of depression among international students.

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