WHAT MATTERS MOST FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES OF INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: THE PREDOMINANT ROLE OF ACADEMIC STRESS

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Authors

  • Nor Azilah Husin School of Business and Social Sciences, Albukhary International University, Jalan Tun Razak, 05200 Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia
  • Amirul Syafiq Mohd Ghazali School of Business and Social Sciences, Albukhary International University (AIU), Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, 05200 Alor Setar, Kedah Darul Aman, Malaysia
  • Arezo Jafari
  • Shabir Ghafari School of Business and Social Sciences, Albukhary International University (AIU), Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, 05200 Alor Setar, Kedah Darul Aman, Malaysia
  • Monir Mohammed Hamid Abdalrahman School of Business and Social Sciences, Albukhary International University (AIU), Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, 05200 Alor Setar, Kedah Darul Aman, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33736/ijbs.9682.2025

Keywords:

mental health issues; academic stress; culture adaptation; international university students

Abstract

Students’ journeys face a lot of challenges, especially those who are studying away from their homeland. One of the main challenges is maintaining a stable mental health. This study examines international university students’ mental health issues concerning communication, academic stress, financial difficulties, and culture adaptation. A total of 244 university students who studied in Malaysia from three different regions; Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, are the respondents. Data is collected via an adapted established questionnaire. SmartPLS is employed for data analysis. Findings showed that only one significant factor affects their mental health, which is academic stress. This study implies that academic stress management is crucial in supporting the students’ lives. Despite common perceptions, communication skills, culture adaptation, and financial difficulties were insignificant. Thus, university students' affairs should prioritize stress-free initiatives.

 

Author Biographies

Nor Azilah Husin, School of Business and Social Sciences, Albukhary International University, Jalan Tun Razak, 05200 Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia

Dr. Nor Azilah Husin is a Professor of Management at the School of Business and Social Sciences, Albukhary International University. She holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin, USA, and a Master's and Ph.D. from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu. With over 33 years of academic experience, she has received multiple Best Paper Presenter and Excellent Service awards. She has authored more than 100 publications, including books, journal articles, and book chapters. Her research focuses on business and educational management, HRM, quality of life, and well-being. Contact her at azilah.husin@aiu.edu.my / drnorazilah@gmail.com. ORCID: 0000-0002-1513-8550.

Amirul Syafiq Mohd Ghazali, School of Business and Social Sciences, Albukhary International University (AIU), Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, 05200 Alor Setar, Kedah Darul Aman, Malaysia

Amirul Syafiq obtained his first degree in Applied Statistics from Universiti Sains Malaysia in 2013. He furthered his study in the field of statistics and obtained his Master from Universiti Sains Malaysia in 2014. Currently, he is a lecturer in the field of quantitative methods and statistics at the School of Business and Social Science, Albukhary International University. Experiencing teaching for 10 years, he has taught business mathematics, business statistics, research methodology and econometrics. His research interests revolved around the area of applied statistics in the field of well being, quality of life and work life balance. He also had published numerous research papers locally and internationally. Despite from that, he also secured 7 grants from the university, states, and at the national level. He can be reached at syafiq.ghazali@aiu.edu.my / amirul910410@gmail.com

Arezo Jafari

She is one of the student representatives from her university. A very committed and talented student.

Shabir Ghafari, School of Business and Social Sciences, Albukhary International University (AIU), Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, 05200 Alor Setar, Kedah Darul Aman, Malaysia

Shabir Ghafari is a final-year Business student at Albukhary International University and an active youth leader in global development and digital governance. He has represented Afghanistan at the World Bank International Youth Summit and served as a youth presenter at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Shabir was selected for a prestigious externship at Beats by Dr. Dre and has been recognized as a NetMission.Asia Fellow for his contributions to internet governance in Asia. He holds multiple certifications from CISCO in cybersecurity and has spoken at international forums, including ICANN75, APIGA21, and NGO CSW/NY. His interests span business administration, sustainable development, gender equality, and digital rights. Contact him at shabirghafari40@gmail.com
ORCID: 0009-0000-8439-9298

Monir Mohammed Hamid Abdalrahman , School of Business and Social Sciences, Albukhary International University (AIU), Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, 05200 Alor Setar, Kedah Darul Aman, Malaysia

Monir Mohammed Hamid Abdalrahman is a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) student majoring in Human Resource Management at the School of Business and Social Sciences, Albukhary International University (AIU), Malaysia. He is the President of student representatives from his university.

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Published

2025-12-30

How to Cite

Husin, N. A., Mohd Ghazali, A. S., Jafari, A., Ghafari, S. ., & Hamid Abdalrahman , M. M. . (2025). WHAT MATTERS MOST FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES OF INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: THE PREDOMINANT ROLE OF ACADEMIC STRESS: -. International Journal of Business and Society, 26(3), 1159–1176. https://doi.org/10.33736/ijbs.9682.2025

Issue

Vol. 26 No. 3 (2025): International Journal of Business and Society

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