Efficacy of Interventional Programs in Reducing Acculturative Stress and Enhancing Adjustment of International Students to the New Host Educational Environment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This review aimed to systematically outline and meta-analyze the efficacy of psychoeducational, cultural orientation, socio-cultural, peer-pairing programs in reducing acculturative stress enhancing adjustment among international students worldwide. The consulted databases were PubMed, Scopus, Web Science, ScienceDirect, EBSCO, ProQuest. Eligibility criteria allowed inclusion randomized controlled trials (RCTs) quasi-experimental without applying language, country, publication type or time restrictions. quality eligible studies was appraised by RoB2 tool Cochrane for RCTs JBI critical appraisal tools trials. Data items collected based on PICO acronym two investigators reviewed accuracy a third one. evidence narratively synthesized validated proceeding with random model meta-analysis using RevMan software(Version 5.4). pooled from assessed GRADE. Out 29,975 retrieved records, 14 (six eight trials) included. psychoeducational program significantly reduced enhanced adjustment. In contrast, orientation adjustment, but could not reduce stress. meta-analysis, intervention versus controls [overall size effect = ?3.89 (95% CI: ?5.42, ?2.53) at p < 0.001]. Similarly, psychoeducation socio-cultural interventions control 3.10 2.35, 3.85) conclusion, demonstrated superior compared other interventional programs. However, have still been effective systematic is registered PROSPERO (CRD42018104211).