Abstract

This research examines the experiences of international graduate students in the United States. It focuses on the challenges they face that can lead to mental health issues. I conducted in-depth focus group interviews through Zoom. Participants shared their stories, highlighting the stigma around mental health. I transcribed the interviews and analyzed them for themes. The findings show that international students deal with various difficulties, such as cultural differences and homesickness. They often find better support from informal peer networks rather than from institutional resources. The study highlights the importance of community engagement and cultural exchange in helping these students build resilience. Moreover, it suggests combining the Culture-Centric Approach (CCA) with Stigma Management Communication (SMC) to tackle stigma and improve health outcomes. vi This study acknowledges certain limitations, including a limited sample size of eight males and three females, as well as potential biases in participant selection, which could potentially affect the generalizability of the findings. Future research could explore gender differences in experiences and coping strategies, as well as how family dynamics affect mental health challenges.

Advisor

Anne Kerber

Committee Member

Farah Azhar

Committee Member

Emily Boyd

Date of Degree

2024

Language

english

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Arts (MA)

Program of Study

Communication Studies

Department

Communication and Media

College

Humanities and Social Sciences

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Rights Statement

In Copyright