Open Access

ARTICLE

Association between Positive Solitude and Psychological Adaptation of International Students in China: The Intermediary Roles of Authenticity and Loneliness

Hong Zou¹, Hanwei Wu², Haidi Wu³, Ningyao Yu⁴, Zhiguang Fan^4,*

1 School of English, Jilin International Studies University, Changchun, 130117, China
2 School of Foreign Languages, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
3 International Education School, Shenyang University of Chemical Technology, Shenyang, 110142, China
4 Department of Psychology, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China

* Corresponding Author: Zhiguang Fan. Email:

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion 2026, 28(3), 11 https://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2025.074801

Received 18 October 2025; Accepted 08 December 2025; Issue published 31 March 2026

Abstract

Objective: International students frequently face psychological adaptation difficulties while studying and living abroad. As an effective psychological resource, positive solitude has been identified as a potential factor for improving psychological well-being, but the underlying mechanism linking the two has not been fully explored. The current study aims to explore the relationship between positive solitude and psychological adaptation of international students, with particular emphasis on the intermediary roles of authenticity and loneliness. Methods: A total of 529 international tertiary students (M_age = 23.76, SD = 5.08; 60.68% male) were surveyed using the Positive Solitude Scale (PSS), Authenticity Scale (AS), 6-item UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-6), and Brief Psychological Adaptation Scale (BPAS). SPSS27.0 was used for descriptive statistical analysis and Pearson correlation analysis. PROCESS macro (Model 6) was employed to test a serial mediation model, in which authenticity and loneliness function as intermediary variables between positive solitude and psychological adaptation. Results: The correlation analysis indicated significant associations among positive solitude, authenticity, loneliness, and psychological adaptation (r = −0.544~0.511). Positive solitude was directly and positively related to psychological adaptation (β = 0.132, t = 3.609, p < 0.001) and indirectly related to psychological adaptation through two pathways: a single mediation via authenticity (indirect effect = 0.089) and a serial mediation through authenticity and loneliness (indirect effect = 0.062). Loneliness did not serve as a significant mediator (indirect effect = –0.015, 95% CI [–0.049, 0.019]). The total indirect effect was 0.136. Conclusions: Interventions targeting international students’ capacity for experiencing positive solitude and authenticity can help to reduce loneliness and increase psychological adaptation. The findings derived from this study are conducive to understanding the relationship between positive solitude and psychological adaptation, as well as its underlying mechanisms. In addition, the study offers a new perspective for educational management and psychological counseling services for international students.

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