IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v18y2021i15p7765-d599063.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Efficacy of Interventional Programs in Reducing Acculturative Stress and Enhancing Adjustment of International Students to the New Host Educational Environment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Musheer A. Aljaberi

    (Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Taiz University, Taiz 6803, Yemen
    Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia)

  • Abdulsamad Alsalahi

    (Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sana’a University, Sana’a 1247, Yemen)

  • Muhamad Hanafiah Juni

    (Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia)

  • Sarah Noman

    (Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia)

  • Ala’a B. Al-Tammemi

    (Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
    Doctoral School of Health Sciences, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
    Department of Family and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary)

  • Rukman Awang Hamat

    (Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia)

Abstract

This review aimed to systematically outline and meta-analyze the efficacy of psychoeducational, cultural orientation, socio-cultural, and peer-pairing programs in reducing acculturative stress and enhancing adjustment among international students worldwide. The consulted databases were PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, EBSCO, and ProQuest. Eligibility criteria allowed the inclusion of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental trials without applying language, country, publication type or time restrictions. The quality of the eligible studies was appraised by the RoB2 tool of Cochrane for RCTs and JBI critical appraisal tools for quasi-experimental trials. Data items were collected based on PICO acronym by two investigators and reviewed for accuracy by a third one. The evidence was narratively synthesized and validated by proceeding with a random model meta-analysis using Cochrane RevMan software(Version 5.4). The quality of the pooled evidence from meta-analysis was assessed using the tool of GRADE. Out of 29,975 retrieved records, 14 studies (six RCTs and eight quasi-experimental trials) were included. The psychoeducational program significantly reduced acculturative stress and enhanced adjustment. In contrast, cultural orientation and peer-pairing programs significantly enhanced adjustment, but could not reduce acculturative stress. In meta-analysis, acculturative stress was significantly reduced in the psychoeducational intervention versus controls [overall pooled size effect = −3.89 (95% CI: −5.42, −2.53) at p < 0.001]. Similarly, adjustment was significantly enhanced in the psychoeducation and socio-cultural interventions versus control [overall pooled size effect = 3.10 (95% CI: 2.35, 3.85) at p < 0.001]. In conclusion, the psychoeducational program demonstrated superior efficacy in reducing acculturative stress and enhancing adjustment compared to the other interventional programs. However, socio-cultural programs have still been effective in enhancing adjustment. This systematic review is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42018104211).

Suggested Citation

  • Musheer A. Aljaberi & Abdulsamad Alsalahi & Muhamad Hanafiah Juni & Sarah Noman & Ala’a B. Al-Tammemi & Rukman Awang Hamat, 2021. "Efficacy of Interventional Programs in Reducing Acculturative Stress and Enhancing Adjustment of International Students to the New Host Educational Environment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-20, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:15:p:7765-:d:599063
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/15/7765/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/15/7765/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Azadeh Shafaei & Nordin Abd Razak, 2018. "What matters most: importance-performance matrix analysis of the factors influencing international postgraduate students’ psychological and sociocultural adaptations," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 52(1), pages 37-56, January.
    2. Azadeh Shafaei & Nordin Abd Razak, 2016. "International Postgraduate Students’ Cross-Cultural Adaptation in Malaysia: Antecedents and Outcomes," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 57(6), pages 739-767, September.
    3. Minh Hoang Nguyen & Tam Tri Le & Serik Meirmanov, 2019. "Depression, Acculturative Stress, and Social Connectedness among International University Students in Japan: A Statistical Investigation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-19, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ho, Manh-Toan, 2021. "Mindsponge: Some Remarks for Future Research Directions," OSF Preprints ce2y7, Center for Open Science.
    2. Trung Tran & Manh-Toan Ho & Thanh-Hang Pham & Minh-Hoang Nguyen & Khanh-Linh P. Nguyen & Thu-Trang Vuong & Thanh-Huyen T. Nguyen & Thanh-Dung Nguyen & Thi-Linh Nguyen & Quy Khuc & Viet-Phuong La & Qua, 2020. "How Digital Natives Learn and Thrive in the Digital Age: Evidence from an Emerging Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-24, May.
    3. Nguyen, Minh-Hoang, 2023. "Investigating urban residents' involvement in biodiversity conservation in protected areas: Empirical evidence from Vietnam," Thesis Commons z2hjv, Center for Open Science.
    4. Minh-Hoang Nguyen & Meirmanov Serik & Thu-Trang Vuong & Manh-Tung Ho, 2019. "Internationalization and Its Discontents: Help-Seeking Behaviors of Students in a Multicultural Environment Regarding Acculturative Stress and Depression," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-20, March.
    5. Minh-Hoang Nguyen & Manh-Toan Ho & Quynh-Yen T. Nguyen & Quan-Hoang Vuong, 2019. "A Dataset of Students’ Mental Health and Help-Seeking Behaviors in a Multicultural Environment," Data, MDPI, vol. 4(3), pages 1-16, August.
    6. Aoxue Su & Wei He & Taichao Huang, 2019. "Sociocultural Adaptation Profiles of Ethnic Minority Senior High School Students in Mainland China: A Latent Class Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-16, December.
    7. Ruining Jin & Tam-Tri Le & Thu-Trang Vuong & Thi-Phuong Nguyen & Giang Hoang & Minh-Hoang Nguyen & Quan-Hoang Vuong, 2023. "A Gender Study of Food Stress and Implications for International Students Acculturation," World, MDPI, vol. 4(1), pages 1-15, January.
    8. Amir M. Maleki & Fariborz Rahimnia, 2020. "Students Under Stress (Why Are Cultural Differences Stressful?) (Uczniowie w stresie )," Research Reports, University of Warsaw, Faculty of Management, vol. 2(33), pages 58-68.
    9. Quang “Neo” Bui & Emi Moriuchi, 2021. "Economic and Social Factors That Predict Readmission for Mental Health and Drug Abuse Patients," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-11, January.
    10. Yueh-Luen Hu & Amy Roberts & Gregory S. Ching & Pei-Ching Chao, 2022. "Moderating Effects of Intercultural Social Efficacy and the Role of Language in the Context of Coping Strategies in Study Abroad Depression," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-18, February.
    11. Nguyen, Minh-Hoang & Ho, Manh-Toan & Le, Tri Tam & Huyen, Nguyen Thanh Thanh & Nguyen, Hong-Kong T., 2021. "On the working of the mindsponge concept and the bayesvl R package," OSF Preprints jhg7b, Center for Open Science.
    12. Minh-Hoang Nguyen & Manh-Tung Ho & Viet-Phuong La & Quynh-Yen Thi. Nguyen & Manh-Toan Ho & Thu-Trang Vuong & Tam-Tri Le & Manh-Cuong Nguyen & Quan-Hoang Vuong, 2020. "A Scientometric Study on Depression among University Students in East Asia: Research and System Insufficiencies?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-25, February.
    13. Amr Abdullatif Yassin & Norizan Abdul Razak & Yousef A. M. Qasem & Murad Abdu Saeed Mohammed, 2020. "Intercultural Learning Challenges Affecting International Students’ Sustainable Learning in Malaysian Higher Education Institutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-19, September.
    14. Meghna Burad & Chanon Laowanichwith & Aimwadee Kiatsukasem & Sirirak Supa-amornkul & Kawin Sipiyaruk, 2022. "Conceptual Framework for Implementation of Internationalization in Dental Education with Foundations in Dental Student Life," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-9, October.
    15. Taeyoung Cho & Taesoo Cho & Hao Zhang, 2021. "The Effect of the Acculturation of Chinese Immigrants on Tourist Satisfaction and Quality of Life," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-17, February.
    16. Nguyen, Minh-Hoang & Vuong, Quan-Hoang & Ho, Manh-Toan & Le, Tam-Tri, 2021. "Mindsponge mechanism," OSF Preprints zpvmk, Center for Open Science.
    17. Minh-Hoang Nguyen & Tam-Tri Le & Hong-Kong To Nguyen & Manh-Toan Ho & Huyen T. Thanh Nguyen & Quan-Hoang Vuong, 2021. "Alice in Suicideland: Exploring the Suicidal Ideation Mechanism through the Sense of Connectedness and Help-Seeking Behaviors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-24, April.
    18. Man Luo & Xiaofang Zhang & Fang Peng & Jing Zhao & Haijun Deng, 2021. "Predictors of acculturation attitude of international students in China," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(11), pages 1-15, November.
    19. Eriks Varpahovskis & Kadir Jun Ayhan, 2022. "Impact of country image on relationship maintenance: a case study of Korean Government Scholarship Program alumni," Place Branding and Public Diplomacy, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 18(2), pages 52-64, June.
    20. Nguyen, Minh-Hoang, 2020. "A reflection before farewell to 2020 and heading to 2021," OSF Preprints g5nqe, Center for Open Science.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:15:p:7765-:d:599063. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.