Predictors of acculturation attitude of international students in China

Abstract

This study investigates international students’ acculturation attitude preference and the influence factors (i.e., gender, duration in China, host and English proficiency, adult attachment style and social ties) on each acculturation attitude (i.e, integration, assimilation, separation and marginalization attitude) in China. A group of 229 international students within China responded online. Results from cluster analysis based on process model of acculturation revealed that, integration was the most prevalent acculturation attitude of international students in China. Additionally, logistic regressions analysis indicated that duration in China was negatively associated with adoption of separation and marginalization attitude also higher level of English proficiency predicted the preference of marginalization attitude. However, Chinese proficiency was positively associated with integration attitude adoption, host ties were positively and significantly associated with adoption of assimilation and integration attitude, but negatively associated with the usage of marginalization attitude. Lastly, avoidance attachment was found negatively associating with the integration attitude. This study provides valuable insights for international student education policymakers to assist international students in order to adapt to a new environment quickly and effectively.

Differences in Overweight or Obesity, Changes in Dietary Habits after Studying Abroad and Sleep Quality by Acculturative Degree among Asian Foreign Students: A Cross Sectional Pilot Study

“…Conversely, such findings were not observed among the group with a high acculturative degree regardless of their sleep quality. Although it is difficult to ascertain the direction of the causal association between the risk for being overweight or obese, sleep quality and acculturative degree, these findings could be explained by a number of other studies [2][3][4][5][6]25,26]. A poor acculturative degree is associated with increased psychological distress or lower sleep quality, which is caused by psychological problems.…”

“…Foreign students who come to study face various difficulties in environmental and cultural differences from their original countries [2,3]. These processes are defined as acculturation in adopting new environmental and cultural aspects, such as another language, climate, attitudes, beliefs and different dietary cultures [3][4][5]. The acculturative degree in foreign students could affect health outcomes as well as academic achievement [2,6].…”

“…The acculturative degree in foreign students could affect health outcomes as well as academic achievement [2,6]. For example, foreign students with a poor acculturative degree (those defined as high acculturative stress) show poor sleep, appetite disturbance, psychological distress, health consequences, and academic problems [2][3][4][5][6].…”

The Influence of Self-Esteem on Sociocultural Adaptation of College Students of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan: The Chain Mediating Role of Social Support and School Belonging

“… 7 The degree of sociocultural adaptation may vary by gender, with women being more willing to accept and integrate into a new environment, while men are the opposite. 8 , 9 In addition, the level of acculturation stress may also change with the increase of grade, and high levels of acculturation stress are often accompanied by anxiety, depression and other problems. 10 Therefore, exploring the psychological mechanisms of cultural adaptation of such students is an extremely important part of cultivating Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan college students.…”

International Medical Students’ Adaptation to University Life in Egypt: A Qualitative Study

“…To start with, language is considered an essential tool for foreigners to interact and engage with host people, which is crucial for expanding their social network. English proficiency can be a barrier to social interaction and help-seeking behaviors, which could endanger the psychological health of students (7) . Additionally, English competency was found to be a predictor of both psychological and social adaptation.…”