Factors Impacting Tertiary-Level International Students’ Mental Well-being: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

International students constitute a substantial proportion of the global tertiary education population, yet the factors impacting their mental well-being remain fragmented across the literature. This systematic review synthesizes peer-reviewed studies to identify key factors that impact international students’ mental well-being and address research gaps. Using the PRISMA guidelines and the PICo tool, 86 studies were selected through a comprehensive search of eight databases. The findings indicate that more than 82% of the studies used quantitative methods and that more than 59% were conducted in English-speaking countries. Thematic analysis revealed nine interconnected factors impacting mental well-being: personal and psychological issues; sociocultural adjustment and acculturative stress; social support and belongingness; academic pressure; language and communication challenges; racism and xenophobia; visa policy-related stress; and housing and living conditions and financial pressure. Using an ecological framework, the results emphasize interactions among individual, relational, institutional, and structural determinants. This review underscores the need for longitudinal, mixed-methods research with greater geographic diversity to inform policy and practice.