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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Ashutosh Atri, MBBS¹, Manoj Sharma, PhD², and Randall Cottrell¹. (1) Department of Health Education , Division of Human Services, University of Cincinnati, 2600 Clifton Avenue, 526 Teachers College, Cincinnati, OH 45221, 7404060284, ashutosh_atri@hotmail.com, (2) Health Promotion & Education, University of Cincinnati & Walden University, Teachers College 526 J, P. O. Box 210002, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0002

This study will attempt to investigate and quantify the role of acculturation, social support and hardiness as predictors of mental health amongst international college students (n=600) of Asian Indian origin enrolled in two large Research-I Universities in Ohio. The hypotheses that acculturation, social support and hardiness each positively correlate with mental health in this minority population would be tested for statistical evidence. Survey instruments with established validity and reliability for independent variables (social support, acculturation and hardiness) and the dependent variable (mental health) would be administered through a web-based design. While the American International Relations Scale (A.I.R.S) would measure the acculturation, social support would be assessed through the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL 12) and hardiness through the Personal Views Survey III-R. Mental health would be appraised through the Kessler psychological distress scale (K-10). The moderating role of demographic factors, if any, would also be tested. An attempt would be made to reach at least 75% of the enrolled populace in those two universities and to maximize survey response email requests will be sent in three waves. Multiple regression analyses would be done to predict the variance of mental health, if any, attributable to the independent variables. Recommendations & directions for future research would be discussed.

Learning Objectives: At the termination of the session, the participants in this session will be able to

• Articulate the relationship between migration and psychological distress including the five classical hypotheses and analyze these phenomena specifically regarding international students in American college setting.
• List five ways in which the effect of migration on an individuals psychological well being can be moderated.
• Reconstruct the web-based survey methodology for assessing the mental health status of migrant college students and analyze the roles that acculturation, social support and hardiness have on predicting the same.
• Analyze and critically evaluate the results of this research and apply it in the larger context of migrant mental health issues.

Keywords: Migrant Health, Students

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered