Understanding the Psychological Well-being of International Students in Higher Education Institutions during Global Uncertainties

Amidst the backdrop of globalization, there has been a marked increase in international student enrollment across global higher education institutions. This study targets the exploration of psychological well-being among these students in Jordanian universities during the COVID-19 pandemic, delving into their mental health, coping strategies, support systems, and the impacts of global events. Through a cross-sectional approach, data from 400 international students were collected via a comprehensive online questionnaire, covering demographics, Psychological Well-being Scale, Coping Strategies Inventory, Perceived Support Scale, and the Impact of Global Uncertainties Scale. Analysis conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 27 included descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVAs, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple regression analysis. Results showcased a demographic profile with a mean age of 28.45 (SD = 6.55), gender distribution of 48.25% male, 39.75% female, and 12% other, spanning disciplines like Engineering, Science, Arts, Business, and Medicine, from first-year undergraduates to graduate-level students. Psychological well-being outcomes revealed 37.5% of participants reported high well-being, 45.0% moderate, and 17.5% low; 62.5% utilized adaptive coping strategies while 37.5% resorted to maladaptive ones; perceived support levels were high for 30.0%, moderate for 50.0%, and low for 20.0% of the students; the impact of global uncertainties was felt highly by 40.0%, moderately by 45.0%, and minimally by 15.0%. The study underscores the varied experiences of international students concerning their psychological well-being, coping mechanisms, and perceived support in the face of global uncertainties, offering critical insights for higher education institutions to formulate targeted support systems and policy measures aimed at enhancing international students' well-being and academic achievement in challenging times. Keywords: international students, psychological well-being, global uncertainties, coping strategies, higher education institutions