Unravelling Factors Shaping International Students' Learning and Mental Wellbeing During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Integrative Review

Article

Zhou, Huaqiong, Kalembo, Fatch, Nair, Ambili, Lim, Eric, Hou, Xiang-Yu and Ng, Linda. 2025. "Unravelling Factors Shaping International Students' Learning and Mental Wellbeing During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Integrative Review ." International Journall of Environmental Research and Public Health. 22 (1). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22010037
Article Title

Unravelling Factors Shaping International Students' Learning and Mental Wellbeing During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Integrative Review

Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsZhou, Huaqiong, Kalembo, Fatch, Nair, Ambili, Lim, Eric, Hou, Xiang-Yu and Ng, Linda
Journal TitleInternational Journall of Environmental Research and Public Health
Journal Citation22 (1)
Article Number37
Number of Pages27
Year2025
PublisherMDPI AG
Place of PublicationSwitzerland
ISSN1660-4601
1661-7827
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22010037
Web Address (URL)https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/1/37
Abstract

The international tertiary education sector was significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic due to the risk of negative learning and psychosocial experiences.
Most international students who remained in the host countries demonstrated admirable resilience and adaptability during those challenging times. An integrative review of factors shaping international students’ learning and mental wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic was conducted. Five electronic databases—CINAHL, MEDLINE, ProQuest,
PsycINFO, and Web of Science—were searched from 2020 to 2023 using the key search terms ‘international students’, ‘tertiary education’, ‘mental health and wellbeing’, and
‘COVID’. A total of 38 studies were included in this review. They revealed six factors across learning and psychosocial experiences. Predisposing factors for maladjustments
included the students being younger and possessing poor English proficiency. Precipitating factors were related to online teaching/learning, and lack of accessibility and or insufficient learning and living resources. Perpetuating factors pertained to living arrangements. The protective factor identified was institutional support. This review highlighted that multifaceted factors were associated with international students’ experiences and mental health
and wellbeing. In-depth understanding of risk and protective factors can help policymakersto prepare for unprecedented challenges and reduce disruptions to international students’
education and mental health when studying abroad.

KeywordsCOVID-19 pandemic; mental health; wellbeing; learning experiences; international students
Contains Sensitive ContentDoes not contain sensitive content
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020420599. Nursing not elsewhere classified
Byline AffiliationsCurtin University
University of Sydney
School of Nursing and Midwifery
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