Acculturative Stress, Psychological Adjustment and Future Orientation Among International Students in Turkey

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between acculturative stress, psychological adjustment, and future orientation among international students in Turkey. 650 students were included in this research and the participants completed Acculturative Stress Scale for International Students (ASSIS), The College Adjustment Scale (CAS) and future Orientation Questionnaire. Data were analyzed by using the SPSS 25.0 statistics program. Results indicated that a positive correlation was found between acculturative stress, psychological adjustment, and future orientation. The analysis showed that gender differences in psychological adjustment showed statistical significance among the students. Also, female students reported higher scores on acculturative stress than male students and they are more prone to homesickness, fear and interpersonal problems. The findings emphasize the potential role of psychological adjustment in relation to future orientation. The necessary steps need to be taken to prevent acculturative stress factors for students. Interventions by universities, authorities and other stakeholders should help prepare students socially and psychologically in the host culture for their future endeavors.

Keywords

• Acculturative Stress
• Psychological Adjustment
• Future Orientation
• International Students

Acculturative Stress, Psychological Adjustment, and Future Orientation Among International Students in Turkey

Öz

Bu çalışmanın amacı, Türkiye'deki uluslararası öğrenciler arasında kültürleşme stresi, psikolojik uyum ve gelecek yönelimi arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemektir. Araştırmaya 650 uluslararası öğrenci dahil edilmiş ve katılımcılardan veriler Uluslararası Öğrenciler için Kültürlenme Stresi Ölçeği (ASSIS), College Uyum Ölçeği (CAS) ve Gelecek Yönelim Anketinden elde edilmiştir. Veriler SPSS 25.0 istatistik programı kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular, kültürleşme stresi, psikolojik uyum ve gelecek yönelimi arasında pozitif bir ilişki bulunduğunu göstermiştir. Analiz, psikolojik uyumdaki cinsiyet farklılıklarının öğrenciler arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı olduğunu göstermiştir. Ayrıca, kız öğrenciler erkek öğrencilere göre kültürleşme stresinde daha yüksek puanlar bildirmişler ve vatan özlemi, korku ve kişilerarası sorunlara daha yatkın oldukları saptanmıştır. Bulgular, psikolojik uyumun gelecekteki yönelimle ilgili potansiyel rolünü vurgulamaktadır. Uluslararası öğrencilerin kültürel stres nedenlerini önlemek için gerekli adımlar atılmalıdır. Üniversiteler, yetkililer ve diğer ilgili kişiler uluslararası öğrencilerin sosyal ve psikososyal olarak bulundukları kültüre adaptasyon ve geleceğe hazırlanmalarında yardımcı olabilirler.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Kültürleşme stresi
• Psikolojik Adaptasyon
• Gelecek Yönelimi
• Uluslararası Öğrenci

Kaynakça

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