Abstract
International students have realistic expectations about their adjustment to college, however, they seem to experience a more difficult transition than U.S. students. Scores on the Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire for international and U.S. students are compared. The results indicated that international students scored significantly lower on the social and the institutional attachment and goal commitment subscales. The Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire may have applications in targeting international student needs.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Baker, R. W., McNeil, O. V. & Siryk, B. (1985). Expectations and reality in freshman adjustment to college.Journal of Counseling Psychology 32: 94–103.
Baker, R. W. & Siryk, B. (1980). Alienation and freshmen transition into college.Journal of College Student Personnel 21: 437–442.
Baker, R. W. & Siryk, B. (1984). Measuring adjustment to college.Journal of Counseling Psychology 31: 179–189.
Baker, R. W. & Siryk, B. (1986). Exploratory intervention with a scale measuring adjustment to college.Journal of Counseling Psychology 33: 31–38.
Baker, R. W. & Siryk, B. (1989a).Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (SACQ). Los Angeles, CA: Western Psychological Services.
Baker, R. W. & Siryk, B. (1989b).Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (SACQ) Manual. Los Angeles, CA: Western Psychological Services.
Bean, J. (1982). Student attrition, intentions, and confidence: Interaction effects in a path model.Research in Higher Education 17: 291–321.
Boyer, S. P. & Sedlacek, W. E. (1988). Noncognitive prediction of academic success for international students: A longitudinal study.Journal of College Student Development 29: 218–223.
Church, A. T. (1982). Sojourner adjustment.Psychological Bulletin 91: 540–572.
Cronbach, L. J. (1951). Coefficient alpha and internal structure of tests.Psychometrika 16: 297–334.
Donato, D. J. (1973). Junior college transfers and a university environment.Journal of College Student Personnel 14: 254–259.
Hoffman, J. (1984). Psychological separation of late adolescents from their parents.Journal of Counseling Psychology 31: 170–178.
Kaczmarek, P., Matlock, G. & Franco, J. (1990). Assessment of college adjustment in three freshmen groups.Psychological Reports 66: 1195–1202.
Leong, F. T. L. (1984). Counseling international students (An informational analysis paper). Ann Arbor, MI: ERIC.
Pedersen, P. B. (1991). Counseling international students.The Counseling Psychologist 19: 10–58.
Smith, M. A. & Baker, R. W. (1987). Freshman decidedness regarding academic major and adjustment to college.Psychological Reports 61: 847–853.
Surdam, J. & Collins, J. (1984). Adaptation of international students: A cause for concern.Journal of College Student Personnel, 240–245.
Worchel, S. & Goethals, G. R. (1989). Adjustment: Pathways to personal growth (2nd ed.). Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall.
Zikopoulos, M. (ed.). (1992).Open Doors: 1991–1992 Report on International Educational Exchange. New York: Institute of International Education.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kaczmarek, P.G., Matlock, G., Merta, R. et al. An assessment of international college student adjustment. Int J Adv Counselling 17, 241–247 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01407740
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01407740