The Psychophysiological Effects of Cross-Cultural Transaction in Foreign Students in Russia: a Pilot Study

Abstract

Have you ever studied or worked abroad? Most people assume it would be stressful --- but would you ever think that it could be detrimental to your health, though? Stress literature relates cross-cultural transactions to the chances of gaining higher levels of chronic stress. The present article aims to study if the psychological stress linked to relocation to a different country can possibly lead to psychobiological effects of chronic stress, namely elevated levels of resting heart rate. A longitudinal pilot study was conducted for 10 expatriate students during the first 2-5 months (with a mean of 3.6 months) of their relocation. Quantitative data was gathered via surveys cross-sectionally, the health data and daily activity journals were collected weekly and provided continuous information about the participants' pulse rate and clues of what its changes can be related to. The results show that the participants have changes in the resting heart rate (RHR) baseline and thus are consistent with those of previous chronic stress research. However, additional further research is required for the consistency of the data and for identifying risk markers and individual stress pathways, with the goal of identifying "at-risk" students and providing treatment options before any serious harm is done to their health.