"Navigating Emotional Uncertainty: A Study on Anxiety and Mental Health" by Vera Turkson
 

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Publication Date

2025

Document Type

Poster

Degree Type

Graduate

Department

Communication

Mentor

Dr. John Baldwin

Mentor Department

Communication

Keywords

coping mechanisms, university support systems, loneliness, digital communication

Abstract

Long-distance marriage among international students during postgraduate studies presents significant emotional and mental health challenges to students during postgraduate studies yet remains an understudied phenomenon. This study investigates the lived experiences of six married international students (three females and three males) at Illinois State University, focusing on the emotional toll of separation, its impact on academic and social well-being, and their coping mechanisms for dealing with it. The findings highlight the importance of attachment figures for emotional stability, suggesting that the absence of a spouse creates an emotional void that can lead to heightened stress. The study calls for universities to develop culturally sensitive counselling services, peer support groups, and technological interventions to support married international students. By exploring the unique challenges faced by this group, the research contributes to the understanding of mental health in the context of global student mobility and provides practical recommendations for institutional support systems.

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