Determinants of psychological adjustment of Pakistani international students

Abstract

The literature on the adjustment experiences of Pakistani international students is scarce. There is a dire need to fill this gap as almost 50,000 Pakistani students are studying in Western universities. The current study aimed to identify predictors of psychological adjustment of Pakistani international students. The study was conducted on a sample of 309 Pakistani international students. A quantitative approach was utilized. Thus, an acculturative stress scale; a Big 5 personality test; and a Multidimensional scale of perceived social support; were administered to the sample of Pakistani international students, who choose to study abroad. The results of the study highlighted both positive and negative predictors of psychological adjustment. The identified positive predictors were age, perceived cultural distance, and Neuroticism while negative predictors were social support, and personality factors (consciousness and extraversion). The current study serves as an initiative to determine the acculturative stressors faced by Pakistani international students. This study has a significant theoretical contribution to Pakistani international student mobility and the associated challenges and stressors on the part of Pakistani students who decide to study abroad. The data of this study was collected online from HEC scholars only. A replication study is recommended including immigrant and self-financed Pakistani students for better generalizations. The present study would be of great interest to three stakeholders including students, universities in Pakistan, and the host universities that give admission to Pakistani students to study abroad.

Keywords

• Pakistani international students
• perceived cultural distance
• psychological adjustment
• extraversion
• neuroticism