2025 IJRSE – Volume 14 Issue 15
Available Online: 2 September 2025
Author/s:
Ching, Gregory S.*
Graduate Institute of Educational Administration and Policy, National Chengchi University, Taiwan (gching@nccu.edu.tw)
Lo, Tsai-Hsin
Department of Education, National Chengchi University, Taiwan (tsaihsinlotw@gmail.com)
Lo, Wei-Hang
Master of Education in School Administration, National Chengchi University, Taiwan (aoefifa@gmail.com)
Abstract:
International students are often dealing with academic, cultural, and social adjustments that can exacerbate their vulnerability for depression. In this study, secondary data analysis from a pre-COVID-19 large survey of 1,870 international university students in Taiwan were utilized. By using Latent Profile Analysis (LPA), three distinct groups were identified based on difficulty and depressive symptoms: Well-Adjusted; Moderately Adjusted; At-Risk. Depression levels, measured by the CES-D, differed significantly across profiles, with the At-Risk group exhibiting the highest symptom scores. Profiles also varied systematically in Big Five personality traits and acculturation strategies, with higher neuroticism and marginalization linked to elevated risk, while integration and traits such as extraversion and conscientiousness were associated with more adaptive outcomes. Moderation analyses revealed that openness, Chinese language ability, age, and marginalization shaped the strength of the profile–depression relationship, whereas gender and degree status showed minimal effects. Building on previous studies analyzing a combination of data published in 2014, 2016, and 2025, the current analyses showed the complexity of studying depression in the context of four areas: personal characteristics, acculturation strategies, situational contextual difficulties, and risk for depression. By applying a person-centered modeling approach, it highlights the importance of identifying vulnerable subgroups and tailoring institutional support to foster resilience and mental health among international students in Taiwan.
Keywords: international students, depression, latent profile analysis, acculturation strategies, Big Five personality traits, Taiwan, mental health, resilience
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2025.25038
Cite this article:
Ching, G. S., Lo, T.-H., & Lo, W.-H. (2025). Profiling depression risk in international students: A latent difficulty model and moderation by personality and acculturation. International Journal of Research Studies in Education, 14(15), 93-104. https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2025.25038
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