Abstract

International students often confront distinctive cultural, linguistic, financial, and academic challenges that may heighten vulnerability to emotional strain and academic overwhelm. Yet research on international student mental health and well-being is mixed and often neglects variation within this population, comparisons with domestic students, or the social and academic factors that may shape disparities in distress. Drawing on survey data from undergraduate students at a large university in southern Ontario, we examine distress among domestic students and three subgroups of international students: those from China, South Asia, and other regions. We assess how social background and academic preparation, campus involvement, and experiences of racism and discrimination shape disparities in reported distress. We find substantial variation, both between domestic and international students and across international student subgroups. Social and academic advantages and extracurricular participation are associated with lower distress, while exposure to racism and discrimination is strongly linked to higher distress.