Acculturative stress and psychological well- being of international students

Role of social support and coping strategies

Authors

  • Fatima Arshad Sheffield Hallam University
  • Humera Iqbal Foundation University, Rawalpindi
  • Tahira Parveen Riphah International University, Islamabad
  • Muhammad Naveed Riaz University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan
  • Muhammad Akram Riaz Department of Psychology, University of Home Economics
  • Tahira Bashir Riphah International University, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/8gakzw80

Keywords:

Acculturative Stress, Psychological Well-being, Social Support, Approach Coping, Avoidant Coping

Abstract

International students are prone to experiencing acculturation stress as a result of cultural differences that impact their mental well-being. Studies have shown that people may successfully handle stress by using efficient coping mechanisms and having enough amount of social support. Many research reports show that social support is a great mediator against experienced stress but there has thus far been no study that analyzes the mediating effect of social support and moderating effect of coping strategies (approach & avoidant coping) on acculturation stress and psychological well-being. Data were collected from the 100 international students, online through opportunity sampling. The findings of the study revealed that acculturative stress impacts the psychological well-being of international students, social support acts as a mediator between acculturative stress and psychological well-being, whereas approach and avoidant coping buffer the negative impact of acculturative stress. Education on coping mechanisms and stress management programs can enhance psychological well-being.

Author Biographies

  • Fatima Arshad, Sheffield Hallam University

    Fatima Arshad, MS scholar in Developmental Psychology at Sheffield Hallam University, United Kingdom. Her major research interests lie in cross-cultural, developmental, and clinical psychology. Email:

    Fatimaarshad173@gmail.com

  • Humera Iqbal, Foundation University, Rawalpindi

    Humera Iqbal, MS in Clinical Psychology, student of Diploma in Child and Youth Care at George Brown College, Toronto, Canada. Her research interests lie in educational and clinical psychology. Email: humera.iqbal08@gmail.com

     

  • Tahira Parveen, Riphah International University, Islamabad

    Tahira Parveen, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan. She recently completed a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at INTI International University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Her major research interests lie in the areas of trauma and domestic violence, emotional regulation, scale development, and adolescent mental health. Email: tahira.parveen@riphah.edu.pk

  • Muhammad Naveed Riaz, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan

    Muhammad Naveed Riaz, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan. His major research interests lie in applied and industrial/organizational psychology. Email: naveed.riaz@uos.edu.pk

  • Muhammad Akram Riaz, Department of Psychology, University of Home Economics

    Muhammad Akram Riaz, PhD, is a Lecturer in the Department of Psychology at University of Home Economics, Lahore, Pakistan. His major research interests lie in the area of cross-cultural psychology and social psychology. Email: akramriaz313@gmail.com

  • Tahira Bashir, Riphah International University, Lahore, Pakistan

    Tahira Bashir, MS Clinical Psychology at Riphah International University, Lahore, Pakistan. Her research interests lie in clinical, educational, and positive psychology. Email: tahirabashiromar@gmail.com

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2026-07-05

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Vol. 16 No. 16 (2026): Journal of International Students

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Research Articles (English, regular edition)

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Copyright (c) 2026 Fatima Arshad, Humera Iqbal, Tahira Parveen, Muhammad Naveed Riaz, Muhammad Akram Riaz, Tahira Bashir

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Arshad, F. ., Iqbal, H. ., Parveen, T. ., Naveed Riaz, M. ., Akram Riaz, M. ., & Bashir, T. . (2026). Acculturative stress and psychological well- being of international students: Role of social support and coping strategies. Journal of International Students, 16(16), 19-44. https://doi.org/10.32674/8gakzw80

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