AUTHOR=Zhao Jian , Chapman Elaine , Houghton Stephen , Lawrence David 

TITLE=Perceived Discrimination as a Threat to the Mental Health of Chinese International Students in Australia

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Education

VOLUME=7

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/education/articles/10.3389/feduc.2022.726614

DOI=10.3389/feduc.2022.726614

ISSN=2504-284X

ABSTRACT=<p>In this study, a brief instrument (the Mental Health Change Indicator Scale, MHCIS) was developed for use in assessing the impact of a negative event on mental health. The instrument was then used to compare the reported impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of Chinese university students studying either in China (<italic>n</italic> = 734) or Australia (<italic>n</italic> = 108). Perceived discrimination and social support were also evaluated as possible mediators of the relationship between country of residence (Australia vs China), and mental health impact. Results suggested that the 10-item MHCIS was unidimensional and psychometrically sound, and that the pandemic had a significantly (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001) more negative impact on the mental health of Chinese students studying in Australia than on those studying in China. Perceived discrimination was identified as a key mediating factor in this relationship. Possible implications for higher education institutions in Australia are discussed.</p>