Psychological and sociocultural adaptation of medical students from India in Ukraine

Abstract

International students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds experience personal and academic challenges when studying health sciences in Ukraine. Moving from one academic environment to another and relocating to a new country to study is becoming an increasingly common occurrence. As well as providing cultural and intellectual enrichment, this experience also presents challenges and difficulties. With the increasing number of international students in Ukraine, an understanding of the psychological factors that facilitate adaptation is becoming evermore important. The aim of the present research was to consider elements facilitating or impeding Indian international students’ adaptation to Ukraine. The variables of trait-anxiety, attachment intimacy and attachment anxiety, psychological distress, satisfaction with social support, and cultural identification were measured. Attachment intimacy and trait-anxiety moderated by psychological distress were found to be relevant to the process of adaptation. Co-national identification was also relevant to adaptation for the Indian students.