ArticlePloS one2024
International and domestic university students' mental health over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany: Comparison between 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Article in PloS one, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed.
- Acculturative stress and mental health among international students in Germany: the protective roles of mindfulness, optimism, self-efficacy and coping strategies.BMC psychology · 2026Article
- Unequal burdens: a scoping review of key social determinants of health affecting wellbeing of international vs. domestic students.BMC public health · 2026Article
- Support usability, institutional trust, and psychological adaptation among international students from war-affected regions in Chinese universities: a mixed-methods study.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Article
- Mental health and help-seeking behavior among at-risk university students in Germany: A descriptive analysis.PLOS mental health · 2026Article
- Engaging for change: the influence of civic engagement on at-risk Arab minority youth in Israel.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Article
- Mental health concerns and needs of international students in higher education settings: A scoping review protocol.PloS one · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic affected university students' mental health worldwide. International students were presenting high levels of stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms before the pandemic. This study aimed to investigate (i) differences between various timepoints of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020, 2021, and 2022) in mental health outcomes and social and emotional aspects in domestic and international students, separately, (ii) differences between international and domestic students between the three timepoints on mental health outcomes and social and emotional aspects, and (iii) possible moderation effects of timepoints on mental health outcomes and social and emotional aspects of domestic and international students. MATERIAL AND
methodsData from three cross-sectional anonymous online surveys conducted in German universities were analyzed and compared. Data were collected in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively, with a total N = 14,498. Depressive symptoms, hazardous alcohol use, social support, self-efficacy, resilience, perceived stress, and loneliness were assessed through standardized self-report instruments. Differences between domestic and international students in mental health outcomes, and social and emotional aspects across three timepoints were assessed with one-way and two-way ANCOVAs.
resultsRegardless of the timepoint, international students presented more depressive symptoms and perceived stress, lower perceived social support and resilience, but higher levels of self-efficacy and less alcohol consumption compared to domestic students. A significant interaction effect between timepoint and student status emerged only for loneliness.
conclusionsInternational students generally presented poorer mental health outcomes than domestic students. Mental health care and prevention such as low-threshold, online counseling should address university students, especially international students.
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