The longitudinal relationship between cultural integration strategies and perceived stress, as well as the mediating role of coping mechanisms

The study aimed to examine the longitudinal relationship between cultural integration strategies and perceived stress, as well as the mediating role of coping mechanisms. A total of 823 freshmen from ethnic minority groups at a university in Yunnan Province were involved in the study. They completed the Chinese version of the Stress Perception Scale, Coping Mechanisms Scale, and Cultural Identity Attitude Scale. Follow-up surveys were conducted every six months. The results showed that initial cultural integration strategies had a significant negative predictive effect on perceived stress after six months. In contrast, initial levels of perceived stress did not significantly predict cultural integration strategies six months later. Additionally, coping mechanisms played a significant mediating role between cultural integration strategies and perceived stress over time. These findings suggest that psychological well-being among ethnic minority students can be improved through effective coping strategies.