Development and initial validation of the International Students' Advising Relationships scale (iSTAR)

Abstract

The International Student's Advising Relationship scale (iSTAR) was developed to allow counselors, educators, and researchers to assess international students' relationship with their advisors from a cultural lens. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted with 285 international students and resulted in 3 factors: interpersonal support, instructional support, and visa issues that included 26 items. The alpha coefficients were Total Scale [alpha] = .956; Interpersonal Support [alpha] = .946; Instructional Support [alpha] = .915; and Visa Issues [alpha] = .939 implying that the scale as a whole and the subscales demonstrate a high degree of internal consistency. To provide initial validity evidence of the iSTAR measure, both criterion-related validity and discriminant validity were examined. Implications for counseling, mental health practices, and institutions in higher education were discussed.