Investigating the Role of Self-Control in the Link Between Intercultural Communication Competence and Mental Well-Being

This study investigates the role of self-control in the link between intercultural communication competence and mental well-being of international students in the post-pandemic period. A cross-sectional study, carried out using snowball sampling, enrolled a total of 226 international students studying in Türkiye. The Brief Self-Control Scale, Intercultural Communication Competence Scale and Short Warwick-Edinburgh, The Mental Well-being Scale were used. Findings show that, in the sample of international students, self-control significantly mediates the connection between intercultural communication competence and mental wellness. International students who keep their intercultural communication competency while studying abroad seem to benefit their mental well-being from the adaptive functioning of their self-control. The study suggests that mental health practitioners should take self-control into account when attempting to promote the mental well-being of international students.