Stress and Distress

Abstract

Frequency and intensity of stressful life events (SLE) and distress (neurotic symptom formation and anxiety) were compared in groups of Chinese students at the University of Hong Kong, Chinese student sojourners at a Canadian University, and Euro-Canadian students. The results are dominated by a strong Gender X Culture interaction for the total symptom score such that Chinese females, especially female sojourners, are most at risk. There were no cultural or gender differences in SLE frequency. However, the possible differential utility of the SLE measures as predictors of psychological distress was highlighted by the fact that SLE frequency was positively related to symptoms for Canadians and University of Hong Kong students but not for student sojourners for whom the best predictor of symptoms was SLE impact; furthermore, the relationship was negative. Female sojourners appear to have a different stress-symptom structure than male sojourners or female Chinese at the University of Hong Kong.