Birds of a Feather Fare Less Well Together: Modeling Predictors of International Student Adaptation

Renee Gibbs, Oya Yerin Güneri, Thomas Pankau and Lynette Bikos
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Renee Gibbs: PRIME Research/Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
Oya Yerin Güneri: Department of Educational Sciences/Faculty of Education, Middle East Technical University, 06800 Ankara, Turkey
Thomas Pankau: Department of Clinical Psychology, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA 98119, USA
Lynette Bikos: Department of Clinical Psychology, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA 98119, USA

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 6, 1-15

Abstract: Sociocultural adaptation to the host country is an important corollary to the psychological well-being of international students. We used structural equation modeling (SEM) to test a model of sociocultural adaptation and psychological wellbeing. International students in Ankara, Turkey ( N = 161, mean age = 22.35) completed online surveys. Consistent with our hypotheses, interpersonal connections with host nationals predicted greater sociocultural adaptation (β = 0.250, p = 0.001) and interpersonal connections with co-nationals resulted in poorer psychological adjustment (β = −0.171, p = 0.025). Host-country language proficiency led to better sociocultural adaptation (β = 0.262, p < 0.001), and perceptions of greater cultural distance had a negative impact on both psychological (β = 0.314, p < 0.001) and sociocultural adaptation (β = 0.328, p < 0.001). Thus, students who were able to engage in relations with host-country nationals fared better. Our results provide insight for sending and receiving institutions regarding the preparation (e.g., exploring cognitive frames for immersion, language skills, reviewing coping strategies) and supportive services (e.g., connection with host country nationals) that will facilitate the adjustment of international students.

Keywords: sociocultural adaptation; international students; need for cognitive closure; cultural distance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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