The Effects of Cross-Cultural Competence and Social Support on International Students’ Psychological Adjustment: Autonomy and Environmental Mastery

Authors

  • Norah Fahad Aldawsari Valdosta State University, United States
  • Katharine S. Adams Valdosta State University, United States
  • Lee Edmondson Grimes Valdosta State University, United States
  • Steven Kohn Valdosta State University, United States

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v8i2.120

Keywords:

autonomy, cross-cultural competence, environmental mastery, international students, psychological adjustment, social support

Abstract

This study investigated relationships between cross-cultural competence, social support, and international students’ psychological adjustment. Participants included 94 international students studying in the United States. The researchers conducted a series of standard multiple regression analysis to predict autonomy and environmental mastery as measured by the Ryff Scales of Psychological Well-Being (Ryff & Keyes, 1995). They found significant positive relationships between autonomy and cross-cultural competence as measured by the Intercultural Competence Scale (ICCS; Fantini & Tirmizi, 2006), and environmental mastery and social support as measured by the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS; Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet, & Farely, 1988). A significant negative  relationship was also found between length of residency in the host country, autonomy, and environmental mastery.

Author Biographies

Norah Fahad Aldawsari, Valdosta State University, United States

NORAH FAHAD ALDAWSARI, MS, is a graduate of the Department of Psychology, Counseling, and Family Therapy at Valdosta State University, United States. Her research interests include the adjustment and academic success of international students. 

Katharine S. Adams, Valdosta State University, United States

KATHARINE S. ADAMS, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology, Counseling, and Family Therapy at Valdosta State University, United States. Her research interests include the socialemotional adjustment and academic success of both high and low achieving students as well as the social stigma associated with disability. 

Lee Edmondson Grimes, Valdosta State University, United States

LEE EDMONDSON GRIMES, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology, Counseling, and Family Therapy at Valdosta State University, United States. Her research interests include rural education including the practices of rural school counselors to meet student, family, and community needs through STEM career awareness and social justice advocacy.

Steven Kohn, Valdosta State University, United States

STEVEN KOHN, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology, Counseling, and Family Therapy at Valdosta State University, United States. His research interests include stress, coping, and well-being across the life-span, the psychology of aging, and applied cross-national research. 

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Published

2018-04-01

How to Cite

Aldawsari, N. F., Adams, K. S., Grimes, L. E., & Kohn, S. (2018). The Effects of Cross-Cultural Competence and Social Support on International Students’ Psychological Adjustment: Autonomy and Environmental Mastery. Journal of International Students, 8(2), 901–924. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v8i2.120

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 2 (2018)

Section

Research Articles

License

All published articles are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 Unported License.