Master's Theses

Department

Psychology

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Abstract

The number of international students in the U.S. has increased steadily since the early 1990s. Based on this trend, the current study compared American and Chinese college students� attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help and expectations about counseling and counselors. In addition, it compared the stress levels of these two groups and examined Chinese international students� specific stressors. A total of 100 American and 71 Chinese students from a small Midwestern university participated in this study. ATSPPH-SF (Attitudes toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help � Short Form), EAC-BF (Expectations about Counseling � Brief Form), PSS (Perceived Stress Survey), and QSSCSCIS (Questionnaire of Sources of Stress and Coping Strategies of Chinese International Students) were used to answer specific research questions. Results showed that compared to American students, Chinese students 1) expected counselors to be more empathetic, comfortable with self disclosing, and an expert, 2) showed higher perceived stress levels, and 3) showed more positive attitudes toward seeking psychological help. The findings provide insights for mental health professionals to better serve clients from diverse cultural backgrounds and understand that different cultural groups may show different expectations when seeking psychological help. In addition, the findings may also help on-campus counseling centers to provide more effective and satisfactory services to both American and Chinese students.

Keywords

Chinese international students, cross-cultural comparison, counseling and counselors, expectations, attitudes

Advisor

Dr. Jisook April Park

Date of Award

Fall 2013

Document Type

Thesis

Rights

© The Author(s)

Comments

For questions contact ScholarsRepository@fhsu.edu

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