Mental Health and Its Associated Variables Among International Students at a Japanese University: With Special Reference to Their Financial Status

Abstract

We attempted to identify the risk factors that may affect mental health status of the international students and we conducted the survey using a self-administered questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. The students were divided into two groups; (1) those who received scholarships and (2) those who didn't since we thought the division represented practical patterns of their financial status. The associations of socio-demographic characteristics with depressive symptoms were examined. Of the 726 students, 480 (66.1%) responded and 207 (43.1%) had depressive symptoms. The logistic regression analysis indicated that quality of sleep, amount of exercise, and housing conditions--but not financial status--were statistically associated with the risk of developing depressive symptoms. Although the inversion of the cause and effect is yet to be ascertained, the students who are unsatisfied with their housing conditions, quality of sleep and less exercise need more attention.

Mental well-being of international migrants to Japan: a systematic review

“…In total, 55 studies examining the mental well-being of international migrants in Japan were selected for this review (for a detailed selection flowchart see figure 1). There were 13 studies examining international university students studying in Japan and one of Brazilian middle school students (the youngest cohort assessed in this study) 16–29. Eleven studies exclusively examined migrant workers30–36 and four studies were on the mental well-being of economic partnership agreement care workers specifically 37–40.…”

“…The third most common barrier to mental well-being was ‘being female’ cited in nine studies. Nine studies also mentioned various sources of stress, like acculturation,17 child-rearing43 or finances 24. Occupational stress30 31 38 40 and discrimination20 23 31 46 were each mentioned in four studies, along with age over 30 years,34 36 and living in Japan for more than 1 year,17 62 each described in two studies.…”

Quality of life, depressive and minor psychiatrics symptoms in nursing students

“…This result is in line with a study carried out in Hong Kong with Nursing students, in which the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 24.3% (22) . However, two other studies carried out in Bangladesh (23) and Japan (24) with Nursing students identified the prevalence of depression, with a rate of 46.8% and 43.1%, respectively.…”

Mental health, self-rated health, risky sexual behaviour, alcohol use, and drug use among students who intend to spend a semester abroad – a cross-sectional study

“…Swedish exchange students rate their mental health as good (4), however, research on non-Swedish exchange students shows that exchange studies might be an overwhelming experience because the students might not be fully prepared for the journey, and this can have a negative effect on their mental health (12). A number of symptoms were identified in Asian exchange students, including sleeping problems, depressive symptoms (13), anxiety, stress (14), and psychological distress (15). Common causes for decreased mental health in Asian exchange students were lack of social contacts, homesickness (16), academic stress, and social isolation (17).…”

“…Studies on Swedish exchange students suggest that they indulge in sexually risky behaviour and use alcohol in a risky way, which might lead to an increased risk for accidents and diseases (8,9). In addition, studies on non-Swedish exchange students suggest that there is a risk for mental ill-health whilst abroad (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)20). These risk factors could possibly be enhanced due to exchange students being in an unknown environment, with limited knowledge of the native language and healthcare access.…”