Abstract
<p>College students encounter high levels of stress due to intensive demands from developmental and academic tasks. In addition to the stress induced by developmental and academic tasks, economic stress adds substantial distress to college students. Economic contraction is known to bring up mental health concerns in society. Financial stress and diminished optimism are affected by distressful economic conditions. This study examined the different perceptions of economic stress between American students and international students of one English for Speakers of Other Language (ESOL) program. International students in this study sustained equally high economic stress but were more sensitive to the economic downturn. The results provide an opportunity to inform counselors how to better work with international students regarding their economic stress.</p>
