The impact of mental illness in Australia is significant. Mental illness are found to be most prevalent in the 16-24 year age group, with one in four (26.4%) experiencing a mental health disorder. In Taiwan, suicide also has become the second-biggest cause of death of people between the ages of 15 to 24 in 2014.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to compare Taiwanese and Australian college students’ psychological well-being, spiritual well-being, coping strategies, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.
Methods:
This is a cross-sectional research design. The college students were recruited from Australia and Taiwan. Sample of 180 Taiwanese students (Mean age = 19.17, SD = 2.60) and 201 Australian students (Mean age = 25.80, SD = 8.43) were recruited. Structured questionnaires were used to do the data collection. SPSS 23.0 was used to do the data analysis. The descriptive data analysis, Chi-square tests, and independent t-test have been used to examine the research questions.
Results:
There were statistically significant differences of psychological well-being total scores (t = -2.682, p ≤ 0.01) between Taiwanese and Australian college students including the following subscales: the autonomy (t = -6.267, p ≤ 0.001), positive relationship with others (t = -2.313, p ≤ 0.05), and purpose in life (t = -2.249, p ≤ 0.05). Australian college students had higher scores of psychological well-being than Taiwanese college students’ scores. There were statistically significant differences of Spiritual Well-being subscale (Life Satisfaction and Self-Actualization)
(t = -6.061, p ≤ 0.001). Australian college students had higher scores of Life Satisfaction and Self-Actualization than Taiwanese college students’ scores. Australian college students had higher scores of using Problem Focus Disengagement Coping Strategies (M = 14.27, SD = 2.46) than Taiwanese college students’ scores (M = 13.52, SD = 2.32) (t = -3.06, p ≤ 0.01). Taiwanese college students had higher scores of using Emotional Focus Engagement Coping Strategies (M = 13.19, SD = 2.55) than Australian college students’ scores (M = 11.49, SD = 2.73) (t = 6.29, p ≤ 0.001). Taiwanese college students had higher scores of Depression (M = 41.37, SD = 6.52) than Australian college students’ scores (M = 38.48, SD = 8.09) (t = 3.81, p ≤ 0.001). There were no significant differences between Taiwanese and Australian college students in the scores of Anxiety and Suicidal Ideation, although Australian college students had higher scores of Anxiety (M = 35.61, SD = 21.93) than Taiwanese college students’ scores (M = 32.59, SD = 21.62).
Conclusion:
The western and eastern cultures influence college students’ coping strategies, life satisfaction and self-actualization, psychological well-being, and depression. Australian college students had higher scores of using Problem Focus Disengagement Coping Strategies and they had higher scores of psychological well-being and life satisfaction and self-actualization. Taiwanese college students had higher scores of using Emotional Focus Engagement Coping Strategies and they had higher scores of depression as well as lower scores of psychological well-being and life satisfaction and self-actualization.
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