In-person and computer-mediated social support for international students at U.S. universities: Associations with acculturative stress and mental health.

The current study explored whether social support received from either mediated or in-person contact varied among international students depending on the level of social ties (stronger/weaker) with existing support groups. This study also examined whether in-person or computer mediated social support (CMSS) is a better predictor of acculturative stress which might influence mental health of international students. An online survey was conducted among 179 international students across three U.S. universities. Results showed that international students perceive stronger online social ties compared to in-person social ties, (125)=- 3.57,  < .001. Stronger ties with CMSS significantly negatively influence acculturative stress compared to in-person social support for international students, ( = -0.24, 95% CI [-0.45, -0.03]). This indicates that as CMSS increases, acculturative stress decreases among international students. This study concludes that online social support groups can positively influence mental health of college student populations, particularly those who feel stressed out.