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Factors Associated with Mental Health among International Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic in South Korea

Author

Listed:
  • Hae Ran Kim

    (Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Korea)

  • Eun Jung Kim

    (Department of Nursing, Honam University, 417 Eodeung-daero, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju 62399, Korea)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate mental health problems among international students in South Korean universities during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to identify the factors that affect their mental health. A total of 488 international students living in South Korea participated in a web-based survey. The questionnaire was created using the Google Forms platform, and a link to the questionnaire was shared through social media. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the data. The prevalence rates of sleep problems, anxiety, and depression among international students were 47.1%, 39.6%, and 49%, respectively. The prevalence of mental health problems was higher among participants who were male, living with someone, residents of a rural area, and earning a higher income. The following variables were found to contribute to the prevalence of mental health problems: undergraduate student status, good understanding of the Korean language, longer hours of media usage, and experiences related to COVID-19 infection. A collaborative effort between the government and universities to manage the mental health of international students could promote the mental health of these students.

Suggested Citation

  • Hae Ran Kim & Eun Jung Kim, 2021. "Factors Associated with Mental Health among International Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic in South Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:21:p:11381-:d:667970
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bo Zhao & Fanlei Kong & Myo Nyein Aung & Motoyuki Yuasa & Eun Woo Nam, 2020. "Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Knowledge, Precaution Practice, and Associated Depression Symptoms among University Students in Korea, China, and Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-17, September.
    2. Soyoung Kim & Yae-Jean Kim & Kyong Ran Peck & Youngsuk Ko & Jonggul Lee & Eunok Jung, 2020. "Keeping Low Reproductive Number Despite the Rebound Population Mobility in Korea, a Country Never under Lockdown during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-9, December.
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    4. Jangwan Ko & Seungsu Paek & Seoyoon Park & Jiwoo Park, 2021. "A News Big Data Analysis of Issues in Higher Education in Korea amid the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-18, June.
    5. Maria Rosaria Gualano & Giuseppina Lo Moro & Gianluca Voglino & Fabrizio Bert & Roberta Siliquini, 2020. "Effects of Covid-19 Lockdown on Mental Health and Sleep Disturbances in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-13, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nam Hoang Tran & Nhien Thi Nguyen & Binh Thanh Nguyen & Quang Ngoc Phan, 2022. "Students’ Perceived Well-Being and Online Preference: Evidence from Two Universities in Vietnam during COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-14, September.
    2. Angel Christopher Zegarra-López & Brian Florentino-Santisteban & Jorge Flores-Romero & Ariana Delgado-Tenorio & Adriana Cernades-Ames, 2022. "A Cross-Sectional Study on the Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms and Its Associated Sociodemographic Factors in Peru during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-16, October.

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