Date of Award

1998

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Art

First Advisor

Marilyn Patterson

Second Advisor

Charlene Engleking

Third Advisor

Anita Sankar

Abstract

Loneliness is a common experience for individuals studying in foreign countries. Where cultures, communications, and social structures are unfamiliar feelings of loneliness can present a difficult component within the adjustment process. Social support has a direct influence on a person's ability to adjust to an unfamiliar environment. Feelings of loneliness experienced by a person can be attributed to that person's perception of social support. Students who are studying in the United States from abroad are subject to a multitude of unfamiliar environments that promote uncertain social supports and increased levels of loneliness. Understanding differences between cultures and their effects on a foreign student's sojourn experience can assist both the student and the hosting educational institution.

The purpose of this research is to determine if levels of perceived social support had an impact on feelings of loneliness among a convenience sample of 90 students, studying in the United States from abroad. The multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (RULS) were administered to subjects foreign to the United States, studying at three Universities near and in a large mid-western city. A Pearson Correlation test was used for statistical analysis. A -.275 correlation proved to be significant at the .01 level (2-tailed) between perceived social support and feelings of loneliness. Findings supported the notion that lower levels of perceived social support among foreign students is associated with higher levels of reported loneliness.

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