Mediation Effect of Resilience Between Stressors and Psychological Wellbeing of Asian International Students

The authors examined whether the two elements of resilience—personal competence and sources of support—mediate the relationship between stressors and psychological well-being among Asian international students (AIS) in order to provide insights for interventions that can improve their mental health and academic outcomes. A total of 197 Asian international college students holding F-1 and J-1 visas in the United States participated in the study. Utilizing structural equation modeling, the findings indicated that personal competence significantly impacted psychological wellbeing and mediated the relationship between stressors and psychological wellbeing. However, sources of support did not show a significant mediating effect. The findings underscore the importance of individual strengths, structured personal styles, and social competence in improving psychological wellbeing. Counselors should focus on enhancing these personal competences to better AIS. Implication for counselors includes developing interventions that bolster positive self-perception, goal-oriented behaviors, and effective time management, while also recognizing the limitations of support systems for these students. This study contributes to the understanding of resilience processes in a specific cultural context and provides practical implications for counseling professionals working with Asian international college students.