Social support for international students who faced emotional challenges midst Wuhan's 76-day lockdown during early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

This study is a phenomenological investigation of the emotional challenges of international students experiencing the 76-day lockdown in Wuhan during the early stages of the COVID-19 epidemic in China. This study employed the psychological concepts of stress, fear, and uncertainty to understand international students' risk factors and psychological symptoms during the Wuhan lockdown. Hence, this research assessed (a) the emotional challenges associated with the lockdown and (b) major sources to cope with emotional challenges. The overarching scholarly conversations are about diverse forms of emotional distress, such as stress and anxiety about their physical health and the social support from various sources at host universities and local communities, including students, teachers, administrators, and the students' respective embassies. Overall, the current study has theoretical and practical implications and offers a guideline for administrative practice in international higher education and international student migration.

Keywords: COVID-19; Chinese higher education; Coping strategies; Emotional challenges; Social support; Wuhan lockdown.