Understanding the Relationship Between Acculturative Stress and Mental Health Among Saudi Students at University of Michigan - Flint

Abstract

Background: This research investigates the relationship between acculturative stress and mental health (i.e. depression and anxiety) among Saudi students at the UM-Flint. Stress caused by factors such as acculturation, new educational methods, discrimination, and religious, social, and language barriers will be discussed. The reduction of these factors will lead to better communication between the students and people in their surrounding environment. It was assessed if discrimination, cultural and language barriers, and depressive symptoms negatively related to mental health among the Saudi students. Methods: Five focus groups were conducted with a sample of 30 Saudi females and 10 Saudi males to explore discrimination, racism, and acculturative stress that occur due to the exposure of a new culture. Result: There was no significant relationship between acculturative stress and mental health among Saudi students. Discussion: Mental health is not openly discussed in this community, but none of the students reported having depression or anxiety related to acculturative stress. Students appeared to have adjusted well with to the foreign culture. Most of the participants claimed to have suffered some form of discrimination both in and out of campuses. Strong social support reduces the students stress and helps them to have successful life. Conclusion: Acculturative stress, therefore, did not appear to be one of the factors that caused mental health. The study results help develop recommendation to help the university administrators to help the Saudi students such as workshops about Saudi culture to better understand what students are going through. Implications for reducing acculturative stress among Saudi students are discussed.