Predicting psychological distress using self-perceived competence: South Asian students in the United States

Research among acculturating individuals has demonstrated a relationship between self-perceived domain-specific skills and psychological distress. However, cross-sectional designs, as well other demographic and contextual confounds, generally have limited conclusions about the causal contributions of psychological variables to subsequent mental health outcomes. This study tested how well domains of perceived competence predicted future psychological distress. Fifty-two South Asian international students in the United States completed measures of self-perceived competence and competence concerns in several domains, along with a measure of psychological distress. Measures were completed at the end of their first academic year in the U.S. (Time 1), as well as approximately one year later (Time 2). Results showed that self-perceived competence and competence concerns at Time 1 significantly predicted psychological distress one year later. In addition, participants rated their own communication competence as higher with South Asian friends, compared to South Asian acquaintances and strangers. However, when communicating with non-South Asians, they rated their competence as higher when communicating with strangers. Findings are discussed in terms of accounting for individual differences in domains of acculturation, as well as the importance of longitudinal research as an empirical foundation for developing interventions for psychological distress associated with cultural transitions