Aman Sado Elemo and Ayse Sibel Turkum
Anadolu University, Turkey
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Clin Exp Psychol
Statement of the Problem:
Studying abroad can be an
exciting opportunity as it can
be quite stressful. However,
together with developmental
concerns, international students
may encounter additional
stressors while adjusting to
living and studying in a new
culture. Nevertheless, there is a
dearth in the literature relating
to psychological interventions
to support their adjustment.
The growing number of
international studentsâ??
population in Turkey seemingly
necessitates undertaking needbased
psychological support
services. Hence, the current
study involves a group program
and examines its efficiency
to enhance adjustments of
international students.
Methodology & Theoretical
Orientation: With a 2Ã?3
controlled quasi-experimental
group design, participants
in the experimental group
underwent eight weekly
sessions of a psychoeducational
program. The program was
cognitive-behavioral in nature
and contained every session
with one and a half hours
each, that proceeded for eight
consecutive weeks. A total
of 18 international students,
as interventional and control
groups, completed measures
on coping self-efficacy,
psychological adaptation and
psychological distress at threetime
points (baseline, postintervention
and six months
after intervention).
Findings: Posttest results
indicate significant differences
in coping self-efficacy in favor
of the experimental group.
However, compared to control,
the experimental group showed
no statistically significant
differences in psychological
adaptation and distress levels.
Follow-up results revealed
significant changes in all three
measures in favor of the
experimental group.
Conclusion & Significance:
Findings indicate a positive
long-term effect of the
psychoeducational program
in enhancing international
studentsâ?? adjustment.
Implications for college
counseling service providers
in terms of designing
psychoeducational programs
were discussed.
E-mail: amansa2009@gmail.com
