Department of Education, National Chengchi University, Taipei City 116011, Taiwan.
School of Teacher Education, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Feb 19;19(4):2409. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19042409.
This study examined the relationship between intercultural social efficacy (ISE), coping strategies, Mandarin Chinese and English language proficiency, and depression. In total, 1870 foreign students in Taiwan participated in the study. Study results indicated that aspects of background demographics may influence depression levels. Participants with an immigrant background and those who are older are more likely to suffer from depression; however, gender and length of stay do not seem to affect depression. The moderating effects of Mandarin Chinese and English language proficiency and ISE on the relationship between coping strategies and depression were examined. Based on the results, the moderating role of Mandarin Chinese and English language proficiency was not supported, suggesting that coping strategies are independent of linguistic proficiency. However, knowing both languages is an important factor in reducing the stress of studying abroad. Additionally, the results confirmed the moderating effects of ISE, suggesting that a higher level of social effectiveness reinforces the negative association between coping strategies and depression. Students who are better able to interact with other cultures may be able to develop effective coping strategies. Moreover, this study found that although most of the study abroad students were not depressed, early intervention and prevention measures could help alleviate possible mental health crises.
本研究考察了跨文化社会效能（ISE）、应对策略、普通话和英语水平与抑郁之间的关系。共有 1870 名在台湾的外国学生参与了这项研究。研究结果表明，背景人口统计学特征可能会影响抑郁水平。有移民背景和年龄较大的参与者更容易患抑郁症；然而，性别和逗留时间似乎不会影响抑郁。本研究还考察了普通话和英语水平以及 ISE 对应对策略与抑郁之间关系的调节作用。根据研究结果，普通话和英语水平的调节作用没有得到支持，这表明应对策略与语言熟练程度无关。然而，掌握两种语言是减轻出国留学压力的重要因素。此外，研究结果证实了 ISE 的调节作用，这表明更高的社会效能感会强化应对策略与抑郁之间的负面关联。能够更好地与其他文化互动的学生可能能够发展出有效的应对策略。此外，本研究发现，尽管大多数留学生没有抑郁，但早期干预和预防措施可以帮助缓解可能出现的心理健康危机。
