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THE TIES THAT HEAL: SOCIAL SUPPORT AND MENTAL HEALTH AMONG INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS NAVIGATING ACCULTURATION IN SWEDEN

Botwe, Robert Kofi Anning LU (2025) PSYP01 20251
Department of Psychology
Abstract
This study investigated the associations between acculturation orientation and perceived social support on mental health outcomes specifically anxiety and depression among international students in Sweden. Grounded in acculturation theory, the research aimed to assess whether different acculturation orientations (assimilation, integration, separation, marginalization) significantly associate with anxiety and depression, and whether perceived social support moderates this relationship. A cross-sectional survey design was used, with 100 international students completing validated measures: the Vancouver Index of Acculturation (VIA), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale... (More)
This study investigated the associations between acculturation orientation and perceived social support on mental health outcomes specifically anxiety and depression among international students in Sweden. Grounded in acculturation theory, the research aimed to assess whether different acculturation orientations (assimilation, integration, separation, marginalization) significantly associate with anxiety and depression, and whether perceived social support moderates this relationship. A cross-sectional survey design was used, with 100 international students completing validated measures: the Vancouver Index of Acculturation (VIA), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). One-way Welch’s ANOVA revealed a statistically significant difference in anxiety across acculturation orientations with students identifying with an assimilation orientation reporting marginally significant lower anxiety than those with a separation orientation. However, no significant differences were found for depression across acculturation groups. General linear modeling further confirmed that higher perceived social support was significantly associated with lower anxiety levels, while the interaction terms between social support and acculturation orientation were non-significant, indicating no moderation effect. These findings suggest that both acculturation orientation and social support play independent roles in shaping mental health outcomes among international students, with assimilation and high social support being protective factors against anxiety. The results highlight the importance of fostering both cultural adaptation and supportive environments to promote well-being in diverse student populations. (Less)
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author
Botwe, Robert Kofi Anning LU
supervisor
organization
course
PSYP01 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Acculturation orientation, International Students, Perceived Social Support, Anxiety and Depression.
language
English
id
9213627
date added to LUP
2025-10-08 15:01:31
date last changed
2025-10-08 15:01:31
@misc{9213627,
  abstract     = {{This study investigated the associations between acculturation orientation and perceived social support on mental health outcomes specifically anxiety and depression among international students in Sweden. Grounded in acculturation theory, the research aimed to assess whether different acculturation orientations (assimilation, integration, separation, marginalization) significantly associate with anxiety and depression, and whether perceived social support moderates this relationship. A cross-sectional survey design was used, with 100 international students completing validated measures: the Vancouver Index of Acculturation (VIA), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). One-way Welch’s ANOVA revealed a statistically significant difference in anxiety across acculturation orientations with students identifying with an assimilation orientation reporting marginally significant lower anxiety than those with a separation orientation. However, no significant differences were found for depression across acculturation groups. General linear modeling further confirmed that higher perceived social support was significantly associated with lower anxiety levels, while the interaction terms between social support and acculturation orientation were non-significant, indicating no moderation effect. These findings suggest that both acculturation orientation and social support play independent roles in shaping mental health outcomes among international students, with assimilation and high social support being protective factors against anxiety. The results highlight the importance of fostering both cultural adaptation and supportive environments to promote well-being in diverse student populations.}},
  author       = {{Botwe, Robert Kofi Anning}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{THE TIES THAT HEAL: SOCIAL SUPPORT AND MENTAL HEALTH AMONG INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS NAVIGATING ACCULTURATION IN SWEDEN}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}