Psychological Intervention Studies on The Adaptation of International Students: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Although there are empirical studies on the adaptation of fresh students in the country towards new life and conditions when they start university degrees and psychological processes following immigration, little is known about the adaptation problems of international students going abroad for university education. Similarly, scientific studies on psychological interventions on the adaptation of this group to new conditions and their effects on students’ wellbeing are also a matter of curiosity. Accordingly, the current study aimed to review the literature systematically to examine the current status of psychological intervention programs for the psychological adjustment of these international students. 9 articles were involved. The involvement criteria of the study were containing an intervention, addressing adaptation, and the presence of international students in the sample. When the studies that meet certain criteria of this study are evaluated, firstly, it is seen that a) these studies include international students generally in the first year of education, b) they are studied using a control group to see the intervention effect, c) most of the participants are women, and d) the interventions focus on providing information (e.g., foreign culture, traditions, intercultural experience, social resources, university resources and procedures), encouraging to establish relationships, providing training on various subjects (e.g., assertiveness), and developing some skills (e.g., coping, resilience, and communication) for an average of 5 sessions. Moreover, factors such as social adjustment, psychological adjustment, student experiences, interactivity, and academic achievement have been studied in common. As a result, it was considered that many of the psychological interventions implemented were effective and functional and that their dissemination and development could be beneficial.