Date of Conferral

7-23-2024

Date of Award

July 2024

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Education

Advisor

Sarah Inkpen

Abstract

International students experience adaptation difficulties that have the potential to affect their psychological well-being. Qatar has a growing yet understudied population of international students. The problem addressed in this study is that little is known about the role that cultural distance, psychological well-being, and selected demographic variables play for the international student population in Qatar. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to measure the effect of the predictors—cultural distance, age, gender, and length of residency—on the psychological well-being of international students in Qatar. The framework used to guide this study was cross-cultural adaptation theory by Ward and Searle. Data were collected from 96 international students from universities in Qatar using an anonymous survey. The regression results indicated that length of residence was a significant positive predictor of psychological well-being, cultural distance was a significant negative predictor of psychological well-being, and age and gender did not predict psychological well-being. The nuanced relationships between these variables highlights the importance of tailored interventions and support services to address the diverse needs of international students. This study might contribute to positive social change by fostering the well-being and academic success of international students, thereby promoting diversity, inclusion, and cross-cultural understanding within the broader community.

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