Date of Award

8-1984

Degree Name

Doctor of Education

Department

Counseling and Personnel

First Advisor

Dr. Robert M. Oswald

Second Advisor

Dr. Thelma M. Urbick

Third Advisor

Dr. Robert M. Brashear

Fourth Advisor

Dr. Chris Koronakos

Abstract

The basic premise of this study was that foreign students are faced with problems during much of their stay in the United States. It was the purpose of this study to determine the effects of everyday life strains on the mental health status of Malay students at U.S. colleges and universities. Specifically, this study looked at the relationships between the symptoms of psychiatric disorders of depression, psychological coping resources of self-esteem and self-mastery, and the background variables. Also this study attempted to determine the levels of depression, self-esteem, and self-mastery; the manifestation of the depressive symptoms according to the domains of functioning; and the intercorrelations among the scores of depression, self-esteem, and self-mastery.

Findings at the .05 level of significance included: Younger students (under the age of 25) reported more symptoms of depression, lower self-esteem, and lower self-mastery than those 26 and older. Undergraduate students reported more symptoms of depression, lower self-esteem, and lower self-mastery than master's and doctoral level students. Students in basic and applied sciences reported more symptoms of depression, lower self-esteem, and lower self-mastery than those in business administration and in arts and other sciences. Single students reported more symptoms of depression, less self-esteem, and less self-mastery than married ones. Males were less clinically depressed than females, had a higher level of self-esteem, and a higher level of self-mastery. Domains of functioning for all students were highest in the cognitive and interpersonal and lowest in the existential. The scores on depression scales were inversely correlated with the self-esteem and self-mastery scales. Suggestions and recommendations were also forwarded for future studies.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Open Access

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