Stressors Impacting the Performance of Graduate Construction Students: Comparison of Domestic and International Students

Abstract

Research suggests that the mental health of university students is poorer than that of the general population in many countries. This research investigated the stressors, coping strategies, and mental health conditions of local and international graduate students of construction management in Australia and their impact on academic performance. An online questionnaire survey, administered with graduate construction students in Australian universities, received 17 valid responses. Data analysis revealed that (1) balancing work, family, and academic demands is the top stressor for local students, while international students are often worried about finding a job after graduation and face adjustment challenges; (2) academic-related stressors are significant for both groups of students; (3) both groups practice more problem-focused than emotion-focused coping strategies; (4) no significant differences exist between their mental health conditions; and (5) local students perform better academically than their international counterpart. The study uncovered stressors specific to local and international students that lower their academic performance and completion rates, respectively; universities can utilize this knowledge to tailor pertinent intervention programs such as counseling and alternative educational pathways.