The Exploratory Factor Analysis: The Multicultural Social Competence of the Community College Students in the Three Southern Border Provinces of Thailand

Abstract

Multicultural social competences are essential for life in the 21st century and understanding of coexistence in society equally without stigmatization and discrimination against those who are different from oneselves. Therefore, education management focusing on developing learners' skills of coexistence and understanding the diversity and differences of people in society is important, especially in Thailand's three southern border provinces facing problems with the unrest affecting the daily life of their people, especially the issue of different beliefs in the practice of religious principles, traditions, and way of life. This research aimed to study the composition of multicultural social competences of community college students in the three southern border provinces. It was conducted among 575 students of community colleges in the three southern border provinces of Thailand. Exploratory component analysis was applied to the data. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed seven components of multicultural social competence in the community college (MSCCC): kindness, multicultural attitude, acceptance of diversity in society, cultural knowledge, skills in coexistence, cultural communication, and social equality. These will formulate issues for the development of multicultural social competence of community college students in the three southern border provinces.