Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Investigating the Prevalence of Depression, Anxiety, Loneliness and Help seeking among International Students

Authors: Amna Alshammary F

DOI: 10.23880/mhrij-16000265

Volume 9, Issue 2

Abstract

Objectives: To identify current data, research gaps, and forms of the prevalence of depression, anxiety, loneliness and help seeking among international students around the world. To present estimations outlining international students figures through systematic review and meta-analysis investigation. And to look at patterns in nations where data are available. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources: Data derived from various electronic databases, including JSTOR, PubMed, Wiley Online Library, ScienceDirect, Springer, and Sage Publishing. Eligibility requirements for chosen studies: Studies were considered eligible if they satisfied all of the requirements for inclusion, including the study population (international students enrolled in higher education), outcomes (depression, anxiety, loneliness, or help-seeking behaviour). Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies were included, (enough information to calculate the prevalence of depression, anxiety, loneliness, or help-seeking behaviour). Methods: The Q statistic, which measures weighted squared deviations, T2, the between-studies variance, T, the betweenstudies standard deviation, and I2, which measures the ratio of true heterogeneity to total observed variance, were used to quantify heterogeneity in effect sizes, i.e., variation in the true effect sizes. Results: According to the analysis's findings using the random-effects model, the estimated prevalence of depression was 31.3%, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of [24.4, 38.7]. The estimated prevalence of anxiety, or the summary effect size, was found to be 29.3%, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of [22.6, 36.4]. And estimated prevalence of loneliness, or the summary effect size, was found to be 45.8%, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of [39.0, 52.7]. In terms of estimated prevalence of help-seeking behaviour, or the summary effect size, was 15.1%, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of [12.3, 18.0], based on analytical results from the random-effects model. Conclusion: A sizeable section of international students in many nations experiences problematic levels of depression, anxiety, loneliness with decreased number of those seeking help. results are constrained by the lack of data and methodological diversity.

Keywords: Systematic Review; Depression; Anxiety; Loneliness and Help Seeking; International Students

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