Publication: Exploring The Changing Health Behaviors Of International Students And Impact On Self-Esteem Radhika Goyal

Objective: Many young adults display poor preventive health behavior (e.g. diet, exercise). This increases their continuing hazard to both physical and mental health. Young adults who study abroad, find it even more challenging to follow positive health behaviours. Basic health behaviours like exercise, diet, sleep, etc. are compromised by them in the need for adjustment. The degree of change in these health behaviors were assessed. The factors leading to these changes was identified along with the changing in self-esteem levels upon moving to Newcastle upon Tyne. The aim of the study was to explore the changing health behaviours of international undergraduate and postgraduate students and impact on self-esteem. Method: A total of 14 international students studying at Northumbria University, took part in semi-structured interviews. Results: Four themes emerged from the findings: ‘Environmental changes’; ‘Changes in independence level’; ‘Changes in lifestyle’; and ‘Social validation’. Conclusion: Changes in health behaviours were similar for all the participants. However, each participant adjusted to these changes in his/her individual way. Major changes were seen in the dietary pattern and exercise pattern. The dietary pattern for most of the participants was altered. The amount of physical workout had mostly increased. The sleep pattern was disturbed during the initial months but with time, it smoothened. Many participants adopted new health behaviours according to their environment and belief systems. Some participants showed the adoption of negative health behaviours; however, they were aware of their changing health behaviours and had individual responses to these changes. Few participants successfully maintained their health status to positive. The overall self-esteem level increased for all the participants. Innate and adaptive factors were responsible for these changes.

http://culturalrelations.org/Resources/2020/ICRP_RPS-Goyal-Exploring_the_changing_health_behaviours.pdf