Academic achievement and social adaptation among international students: A comparison groups study of the peer-pairing program

Westwood, Marvin J.; Barker, Michelle

doi:10.1016/0147-1767(90)90008-k

Cited by 160 publications

(81 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Finally, we also suggest that pairing newly arrived international students with Americans peers (e.g., serving as an English conversation partner or English tutor) can facilitate the international students' transition and lessen their acculturative stress. Indeed, Westwood and Barker (1990) found that pairing international students with American students enhanced the academic performance of the international students.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acculturative stress, perfectionism, years in the United States, and depression among Chinese international students.

Wei¹,

Heppner²,

Mallen³

et al. 2007

Journal of Counseling Psychology

269

255

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The present study examined whether maladaptive perfectionism (i.e., discrepancy between expectations and performance) and length of time in the United States moderated the association between acculturative stress and depression. Data were collected through online surveys from 189 Chinese international students from China and Taiwan attending a midwestern university. Results from a hierarchical regression showed that there were significant main effects of acculturative stress and maladaptive perfectionism on depression, no significant two-way interactions, and a significant three-way interaction, indicating that acculturative stress, maladaptive perfectionism, and length of time in the United States interacted to predict depression. Low maladaptive perfectionism buffered the effect of acculturative stress on depression only for those who had been in the United States for a relatively longer period of time. Implications for counseling and future research directions are discussed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acculturative stress, perfectionism, years in the United States, and depression among Chinese international students.

Wei¹,

Heppner²,

Mallen³

et al. 2007

Journal of Counseling Psychology

269

255

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“…The study of Westwood and Barker (1990) of peer pairing programmes for international students indicated that, 'contact with certain host national individuals is positively correlated with academic success and lowered probability of dropping out'.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social capital renewal and the academic performance of international students in Australia

Neri

Ville

2008

The Journal of Socio-Economics

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Many believe that social capital fosters the accumulation of human capital. Yet international university students arrive in their host country generally denuded of social capital and confronted by unfamiliar cultural and educational institutions. This study investigates how, and to what extent, international students renew their social networks, and whether such investments are positively associated with academic performance. We adopt a social capital framework and conduct a survey of international students at a typical Australian university in order to categorise and measure investments in social capital renewal, and test a multivariate model of academic performance that includes social capital variables, amongst others, as regressors. Our survey results reveal a high degree of variability in social capital investment across students and, amongst the more active, a tendency to build close networks in the main with students from their own country of origin. Our empirical results suggest that such investments are not associated with improved academic performance but are associated with increased well being. Yet international university students arrive in their host country generally denuded of social capital and confronted by unfamiliar cultural and educational institutions. This study investigates how, and to what extent, international students renew their social networks, and whether such investments are positively associated with academic performance. We adopt a social capital framework and conduct a survey of international students at a typical Australian university in order to categorise and measure investments in social capital renewal, and test a multivariate model of academic performance that includes social capital variables, amongst others, as regressors. Our survey results reveal a high degree of variability in social capital investment across students and, among the more active, a tendency to build close networks in the main with students from their own country of origin. Our empirical results suggest that such investments are not associated with improved academic performance but are associated with increased well being. IntroductionAs the above quote makes clear, the importance of social relationships has long been recognised, at least by philosophers and social observers. In more recent times, economists and sociologists have also recognised the importance of social relationships, which is one dimension of what is more commonly referred to as social capital. Related dimensions include trust (both general and particular), volunteering, and organisational and club involvement. Whilst not unanimous, much research suggests that social capital is positively associated with economic growth, international trade, macroeconomic stability, political and civic involvement, crime prevention, health and happiness. Of particular interest to us are suggestions in the literature that social capital impacts positively and significantly on the academic achievement of secondary school students 1 .If social re...

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“…Further behavioural peer-pairing interventions have been carried out whereby international students are paired with domestic students, which have been found to aid social adjustment or enhance social support (Abe, Talbot, & Geelhoed, 1998;Shigaki & Smith, 1997), improve academic achievement (Westwood & Barker, 1990), and increase utilisation of university services including counselling services (Quintrell & Westwood, 1994). Whilst these are promising findings, the peerpairing interventions did not directly target international students' psychological adaptation.…”

Section: Behavioural Interventionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of the acculturation experiences of international students

Smith

Khawaja

2011

International Journal of Intercultural Relations

720

663

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Academic achievement and social adaptation among international students: A comparison groups study of the peer-pairing program

Cited by 160 publications

References 13 publications

Acculturative stress, perfectionism, years in the United States, and depression among Chinese international students.

Acculturative stress, perfectionism, years in the United States, and depression among Chinese international students.

Social capital renewal and the academic performance of international students in Australia

A review of the acculturation experiences of international students

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