Effects of Anti-Mattering and Fear of not Mattering on the Psychological Well-Being of International Students in Canada during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Chang Su* and Gordon L Flett

The COVID-19 outbreak has led to unprecedented hazards to health and mental health globally at the beginning of 2020. These issues are being exacerbated by safety concerns and disruptions of daily routines especially for people in vulnerable groups, including international students in Canada, who experience a variety of stress and challenges in a new country. Additional acculturation stress stems from language barriers and cultural conflicts that can impact well-being and life satisfaction. The current study uniquely examined how anti-mattering and fears of not matter relate to acculturative stress, discrimination and stigma, and perceived stress of international students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Anti-mattering, fear of not mattering, acculturation stress, adaptability, social support, loneliness, and well-being were examined among 186 international students. As expected, anti-mattering and fear of not mattering were associated significantly with higher acculturation stress, perceived discrimination and stigma, perceived stress, and loneliness. They were also associated with lower adaptability, lower life satisfaction, and lower psychological well-being. Regression analyses showed anti-mattering and fear of not mattering predicted well-being. Results indicated that acculturation stress fully mediated the link between anti-mattering/fear of not mattering and well-being; Acculturation stress and social support fully mediated the effect of the fear of not mattering on life satisfaction. Adaptability significantly fully mediated the effect of anti-mattering on well-being. Our empirical findings are discussed in terms of the need for prevention efforts focused on enhancing mattering, limiting anti-mattering and associated fears, reducing social loneliness, and acculturation stress, and increasing social support and adaptability that contribute to feeling mattering and life satisfaction and psychological well-being. Our discussion focuses on practical suggestions that can help and facilitate the well-being of international students, especially during inordinately challenging times.

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Published on: Jan 21, 2025 Pages: 1-16

Full Text PDF Full Text HTML DOI: 10.17352/ojt.000048
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