The Mental Health Issues EFL Undergraduate Students Face in Learning the English
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21009/ijlecr.v10i1.45152Keywords:
Anxiety, Depression, EFL Students, Mental Health, StressAbstract
This study aimed to explore the mental health issues of EFL students in learning the English language and the strategies to cope with them by employing a qualitative descriptive approach in which, the research uses a questionnaire with yes or no responses to gather students' mental health experiences. Additionally, four volunteers were interviewed to dig deeper into their coping mechanisms. The results revealed that students are aware of the mental health issues they face with learning the English language were dominated by anxiety and stress. It was revealed that depression and sleeping problems were the least mental health issues students faced. While the questionnaire showed students are facing depression, volunteered participants disagreed the feeling depressed during language learning. Sleeping problems are also shown to only affect students when they are facing exams. Students revealed having four different strategies, such as talking to friends and family, enjoying entertainment such as watching movies, listening to music, engaging in social media, and outdoor activities, to maintain their mental health. This implies an understanding of mental health challenges in learning the English language leads to a better learning habit. Furthermore, by being able to maintain mental health problems, students can achieve good social and academic goals.
References
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Ibnian, S. S. K. (2017). Attitudes of public and private schools’ students towards learning EFL. International Journal of Education, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.5296/ije.v9i2.8797
Jeong, K. O. (2017). Preparing EFL student teachers with new technologies in the Korean context. Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/09588221.2017.1321554, 30(6), 488–509. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2017.1321554
Kasap, S. (2022). Multicultural education mental well-being and foreign language anxiety. Multicultural Education, 7(4). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4716343
Kruk, M. (2018). Changes in foreign language anxiety: A classroom perspective. International Journal of Applied Linguistics, 28(1), 31–57. https://doi.org/10.1111/IJAL.12182
Kunasaraphan, K. (2015). English learning strategy and proficiency level of the first year students. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 197, 1853–1858. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SBSPRO.2015.07.246
Lovin, D., & Bernardeau-Moreau, D. (2022). Stress among students and difficulty with time management: A study at the University of Galați in Romania. Social Sciences 2022, Vol. 11, Page 538, 11(12), 538. https://doi.org/10.3390/SOCSCI11120538
Mahdi, D. A. (2015). Motivating reluctant EFL students to talk in class: Strategies and tactics. https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.0508.22
Maheshwari, G., & Shaukat, F. (2019). Impact of poor sleep quality on the academic performance of medical students. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.4357
Ngo, H., Spooner-Lane, R., & Mergler, A. (2017). A comparison of motivation to learn English between English major and non-English major students in a Vietnamese university. Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching, 11(2), 188–202. https://doi.org/10.1080/17501229.2015.1094076
Oteir, I., Hashima, N., & Aziz, A. (2017). Effects of listening comprehension anxiety from saudi efl learners’ perspectives reading: content schemata view project dissertation on writing process and writing strategies view project effects of listening comprehension anxiety from Saudi EFL learners’ perspectives. International Journal of Linguistics, 9(5). https://doi.org/10.5296/ijl.v9i5.11792
Oteir, N. I., & Al-Otaibi, N. A. (2019). Foreign language anxiety: A systematic review. Arab World English Journal, 10(3), 309–317. https://doi.org/10.24093/AWEJ/VOL10NO3.21
Paisal, P., Regina, R., & Riyanti, D. (2022). Exploring the challenge of EFL learning during the covid-19 pandemic. KnE Social Sciences, 318–326–318–326. https://doi.org/10.18502/KSS.V7I7.10702
Pedrelli, P., Nyer, M., Yeung, A., Zulauf, C., & Wilens, T. (2014). College students: mental health problems and treatment considerations. Academic Psychiatry 2014 39:5, 39(5), 503–511. https://doi.org/10.1007/S40596-014-0205-9
Pishghadam, R., & Akhondpoor, F. (2011). Learner perfectionism and its role in foreign language learning success, academic achievement, and learner anxiety. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.4304/JLTR.2.2.432-440
Rashtchi, M., Zokaee, Z., Ghaffarinejad, A. R., & Sadeghi, M. M. (2012). Depression does it affect the comprehension of receptive skills? Neurosciences, 17(3), 236–240. www.neurosciencesjournal.org
Sabri, S., Khairuddin, Z., Johan S. J. H., S., Daud, K. M., & Bahrn, F. F. S. (2021). Causes of language anxiety in an ESL classroom: Towards a mentally healthier learning environment. International Journal of Asian Social Science, 11(9), 452–460. https://doi.org/10.18488/JOURNAL.1.2021.119.452.460
Vala, N. H., Vachhani, M. V, & Sorani, A. M. (2020). Study of anxiety, stress, and depression level among medical students during covid-19 pandemic phase in Jamnagar city. https://doi.org/10.5455/njppp.2020.10.07205202031072020
Voronova, L., Karpovich, I., Stroganova, O., & Khlystenko, V. (2020). The adapters public institute as a means of first-year students’ pedagogical support during the period of adaptation to studying at a university. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, 131, 641–651. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-47415-7_68/TABLES/3
Wasylkiw, L. (2015). Students’ perspectives on pathways to university readiness and adjustment. Journal of Education and Training Studies, 4(3). https://doi.org/10.11114/JETS.V4I3.1197
World Health Organization. (2005). Promoting mental health: Concepts, emerging evidence, practice. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9241562943
Wyatt, T. J., Oswalt, S. B., & Ochoa, Y. (2017). Mental health and academic success of first-year college students. International Journal of Higher Education, 6(3), 178. https://doi.org/10.5430/IJHE.V6N3P17
Abu-Snoubar, T. K. (2017). An evaluation of efl students’ attitudes toward English language learning in terms of several variables. International Journal of English Language Teaching, 5(6), 18–34. www.eajournals.org
Al-Shuaibi, J., Hamdan-Mansour, A. M., Azzeghaiby, S. N., & Professor, A. (2014). Foreign language anxiety among students studying foreign languages. Life Science Journal, 11(8), 1097–8135. http://www.lifesciencesite.comhttp://www.lifesciencesite.com.25
Aydin, Y. (2023). Psychological inflexibility, ruminative thinking, worry and self-compassion in relation to college adjustment. Bartın University Journal of Faculty of Education, 12(2), 422–434. https://doi.org/10.14686/buefad.1022706
Baik, C., Larcombe, W., & Brooker, A. (2019). How universities can enhance student mental wellbeing: The student perspective. Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/07294360.2019.1576596, 38(4), 674–687. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2019.1576596
Baissane, O. (2023). Foreign language anxiety influencing speaking skills. A picture of Moroccan EFL Universities Students. The Journal of Quality in Education, 13(21), 121–133. https://doi.org/10.37870/joqie.v13i21.350
Boussif M, Forbes Robert, Yan Xiuying, & Balboni A M. (2021). How does stress affect students’ well-being? https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348277259_How_Does_Stress_Affect_Students’_Well-Being
Brandy, J. M., Penckofer, S., Solari-Twadell, P. A., & Velsor-Friedrich, B. (2015). Factors predictive of depression in first-year college students. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 53(2), 38–44. https://doi.org/10.3928/02793695-20150126-03
Briggs, A. R. J., Clark, J., & Hall, I. (2012). Building bridges: Understanding student transition to university. Http://Dx.Doi.Org/10.1080/13538322.2011.614468, 18(1), 3–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/13538322.2011.614468
Bruffaerts, R., Kessler, R. C., Demyttenaere, K., Bonnewyn, A., & Nock, M. K. (2015). Examination of the population attributable risk of different risk factor domains for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Journal of Affective Disorders, 187, 66–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JAD.2015.07.042
Bruffaerts, R., Mortier, P., Kiekens, G., Auerbach, R. P., Cuijpers, P., Demyttenaere, K., Green, J. G., Nock, M. K., & Kessler, R. C. (2018). Mental health problems in college freshmen: Prevalence and academic functioning. Journal of Affective Disorders, 225, 97–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JAD.2017.07.044
Creswell, J. W. & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (Fifth edition). Los Angeles: SAGE Publications.
Dawadi, S. (2021). Thematic analysis approach: A step by step guide for elt research practitioners. https://nelta.org.np/nelta/uploads/web-uploadsfiles/NELTA%20Journal%202020.pdf
Dewaele, J. M., Petrides, K. V., & Furnham, A. (2008). Effects of trait emotional intelligence and sociobiographical variables on communicative anxiety and foreign language anxiety among adult multilinguals: A review and empirical investigation. Language Learning, 58(4), 911–960. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1467-9922.2008.00482.X
Fusar-Poli, P., Salazar de Pablo, G., De Micheli, A., Nieman, D. H., Correll, C. U., Kessing, L. V., Pfennig, A., Bechdolf, A., Borgwardt, S., Arango, C., & van Amelsvoort, T. (2020). What is good mental health? A scoping review. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 31, 33–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EURONEURO.2019.12.105
Getie, A. S. (2016). Factors affecting the attitudes of students towards learning English as a foreign language Addisu Sewbihon Getie | Factors affecting the attitudes of students towards learning English as a foreign language. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2020.1738184
Hamilton, N., Freche, R., Zhang, Y., Zeller, G., & Carroll, I. (2021). Test anxiety and poor sleep: A vicious cycle. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 28(2), 250–258. https://doi.org/10.1007/S12529-021-09973-1/METRICS
Ibnian, S. S. K. (2017). Attitudes of public and private schools’ students towards learning EFL. International Journal of Education, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.5296/ije.v9i2.8797
Jeong, K. O. (2017). Preparing EFL student teachers with new technologies in the Korean context. Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/09588221.2017.1321554, 30(6), 488–509. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2017.1321554
Kasap, S. (2022). Multicultural education mental well-being and foreign language anxiety. Multicultural Education, 7(4). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4716343
Kruk, M. (2018). Changes in foreign language anxiety: A classroom perspective. International Journal of Applied Linguistics, 28(1), 31–57. https://doi.org/10.1111/IJAL.12182
Kunasaraphan, K. (2015). English learning strategy and proficiency level of the first year students. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 197, 1853–1858. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SBSPRO.2015.07.246
Lovin, D., & Bernardeau-Moreau, D. (2022). Stress among students and difficulty with time management: A study at the University of Galați in Romania. Social Sciences 2022, Vol. 11, Page 538, 11(12), 538. https://doi.org/10.3390/SOCSCI11120538
Mahdi, D. A. (2015). Motivating reluctant EFL students to talk in class: Strategies and tactics. https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.0508.22
Maheshwari, G., & Shaukat, F. (2019). Impact of poor sleep quality on the academic performance of medical students. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.4357
Ngo, H., Spooner-Lane, R., & Mergler, A. (2017). A comparison of motivation to learn English between English major and non-English major students in a Vietnamese university. Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching, 11(2), 188–202. https://doi.org/10.1080/17501229.2015.1094076
Oteir, I., Hashima, N., & Aziz, A. (2017). Effects of listening comprehension anxiety from saudi efl learners’ perspectives reading: content schemata view project dissertation on writing process and writing strategies view project effects of listening comprehension anxiety from Saudi EFL learners’ perspectives. International Journal of Linguistics, 9(5). https://doi.org/10.5296/ijl.v9i5.11792
Oteir, N. I., & Al-Otaibi, N. A. (2019). Foreign language anxiety: A systematic review. Arab World English Journal, 10(3), 309–317. https://doi.org/10.24093/AWEJ/VOL10NO3.21
Paisal, P., Regina, R., & Riyanti, D. (2022). Exploring the challenge of EFL learning during the covid-19 pandemic. KnE Social Sciences, 318–326–318–326. https://doi.org/10.18502/KSS.V7I7.10702
Pedrelli, P., Nyer, M., Yeung, A., Zulauf, C., & Wilens, T. (2014). College students: mental health problems and treatment considerations. Academic Psychiatry 2014 39:5, 39(5), 503–511. https://doi.org/10.1007/S40596-014-0205-9
Pishghadam, R., & Akhondpoor, F. (2011). Learner perfectionism and its role in foreign language learning success, academic achievement, and learner anxiety. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.4304/JLTR.2.2.432-440
Rashtchi, M., Zokaee, Z., Ghaffarinejad, A. R., & Sadeghi, M. M. (2012). Depression does it affect the comprehension of receptive skills? Neurosciences, 17(3), 236–240. www.neurosciencesjournal.org
Sabri, S., Khairuddin, Z., Johan S. J. H., S., Daud, K. M., & Bahrn, F. F. S. (2021). Causes of language anxiety in an ESL classroom: Towards a mentally healthier learning environment. International Journal of Asian Social Science, 11(9), 452–460. https://doi.org/10.18488/JOURNAL.1.2021.119.452.460
Vala, N. H., Vachhani, M. V, & Sorani, A. M. (2020). Study of anxiety, stress, and depression level among medical students during covid-19 pandemic phase in Jamnagar city. https://doi.org/10.5455/njppp.2020.10.07205202031072020
Voronova, L., Karpovich, I., Stroganova, O., & Khlystenko, V. (2020). The adapters public institute as a means of first-year students’ pedagogical support during the period of adaptation to studying at a university. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, 131, 641–651. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-47415-7_68/TABLES/3
Wasylkiw, L. (2015). Students’ perspectives on pathways to university readiness and adjustment. Journal of Education and Training Studies, 4(3). https://doi.org/10.11114/JETS.V4I3.1197
World Health Organization. (2005). Promoting mental health: Concepts, emerging evidence, practice. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9241562943
Wyatt, T. J., Oswalt, S. B., & Ochoa, Y. (2017). Mental health and academic success of first-year college students. International Journal of Higher Education, 6(3), 178. https://doi.org/10.5430/IJHE.V6N3P17
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Published
2024-06-27
How to Cite
Haidar, R. T., & Lestari, S. (2024). The Mental Health Issues EFL Undergraduate Students Face in Learning the English. IJLECR (International Journal of Language Education and Cultural Review), 10(1), 102–116. https://doi.org/10.21009/ijlecr.v10i1.45152
