International Students in Denmark Benefit from Self-Efficacy and Social Support in Managing Stress and Fostering Creativity

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted by the University Sains Malaysia has shed light on the dynamic interactions between challenge stressors, social support, self-efficacy, and creativity among international students in Denmark. The study, which examined the effects of stressors, challenges, and social support on self-efficacy and creativity, found that self-efficacy plays a crucial role in converting pressure and support into creative outcomes. The findings suggest that universities can create an environment that supports student well-being and creativity by integrating psychological constructs in education management.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study used a quantitative approach to collect data from over 400 international students at Danish higher education institutions, analyzing the data using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM).
  • Key findings indicate that stressors, challenges, and social support significantly improve self-efficacy, while self-efficacy, challenge stressors, and social support directly contribute positively to creativity.
  • Self-efficacy has been shown to mediate the relationship between challenge stressors and creativity, as well as between social support and creativity.
  • The research concluded that self-efficacy is a key mechanism that converts pressure and support into creative outcomes, underscoring the importance of integrating psychological constructs in education management.
  • The study provides strategies for universities to create an environment that supports student well-being and creativity.
  • Sri Yusriani, Universiti Sains Malaysia, is one of the researchers involved in the study.
  • The study was published in the Al-Tanzim: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam journal.

Statistics:

  • The study collected data from more than 400 international students at Danish higher education institutions.
  • The data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM).
  • Self-efficacy was found to significantly improve by stressors, challenges, and social support (p < 0.01).
  • Self-efficacy, challenge stressors, and social support directly contributed positively to creativity (p < 0.01).
  • The study found a significant mediation effect of self-efficacy between challenge stressors and creativity (p < 0.05), as well as between social support and creativity (p < 0.05).

Sources:

  • Al-Tanzim: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 2025,9(2):606-623 (University Sains Malaysia)
  • NewsRx LLC (2025, October 29)
  • Education Letter (2025, October 29, p 599)