The health and wellbeing of international students at an Australian university |
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| Authors: | Doreen Anne Rosenthal Jean Russell and Garry Thomson |
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| Institution: | (1) Key Centre for Women’s Health in Society, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia |
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| Abstract: | A representative sample of undergraduate and postgraduate international students at a large Australian university (n=979, 64% females) completed a mail-back survey of their health and wellbeing. Most students evaluated their current and previous
physical and mental health positively. Health-related risk practices such as unprotected sexual activity, drug use, smoking
and gambling, were reported by few students. There was little change in health or risk behaviours since coming to Australia
and few changes that were health compromising. Few demographic or situational variables, including age and gender, had a significant
impact on students' wellbeing. This study has revealed that few international students find the experience of studying in
an overseas country detrimental to their wellbeing. Nevertheless, for those students who encounter difficulties or are at
increased risk of health-compromising outcomes, we must ensure better delivery of health promotion education, and access to,
and use of, available counselling and health services.
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| Keywords: | International students Mental health Physical health Risk practices Sexual health Substance use Wellbeing |
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