The Relationships among Perceived Microaggressions, Acculturative Stress, and Depression in a Multi-ethnic Sample of International Students in Taiwan

• Main Authors: Lee, Hsin-Yi, 李欣怡
• Other Authors: Tien, Hsiu-Lan
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2015
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/90733527650049761633

碩士 === 國立臺灣師範大學 === 教育心理與輔導學系 === 103 === Abstract The purpose of this study was to explore differences between microaggressions and acculturative stress of　international students with different demographic backgrounds, and relations between their perceived microaggressions, acculturative stress and depression. A total of 213 international students (male = 92, female = 121; average age = 23.7) across Taiwan participated in the study through paper-and-pencil and online surveys. Participants completed the Racial Microaggression Scale (RMAS), Acculturative Stress Scale for International Students (ASSIS), The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale–Revised (CESD-R), and a demographic questionnaire measuring the study variables. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance, correlation, and stepwise regression. In terms of demographics, the findings indicated that male Whites/Caucasians/Europeans students who were in relationship and who studied in degree programs reported higher levels of microaggressions. In addition, Asians, overseas Chinese, and students who studied in degree programs indicated higher amounts of acculturative stress. For all groups there was a positively significant correlation between perceived microaggressions, acculturative stress and depression, and 31% of variance of depression was explained by acculturative stress and perceived microaggressions. In general, this study provided a multicultural perspective on ethnicity as a factor for microaggressions and acculturative stress, and on the link between microaggressions and mental health among international students in Taiwan. Due to the current findings, future research is encouraged to examine specific microaggression issues among international students in Taiwan, adjust the definition of microaggressions for applying to more cultural backgrounds, attitude of Taiwanese society toward international students, and positive factors, such as coping strategies, relating to acculturating process among this group.