The predictive ability of cultural intelligence and character orientations for psychological adaptation in expatriates

Authors

  • Alean Al-Krenawi Algoma University, Canada
  • Numan Khaled Natsheh Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Jordan
  • Somaya Abdel-Hameed Al-Ja'afreh The University of Jordan, Jordan
  • Ahmad Nabeel Abudoush The University of Jordan, Jordan
  • Feras Ali Al-Habies The University of Jordan, Jordan
  • Omar Abdallah Khawaldeh The University of Jordan, Jordan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/1tb65j82

Keywords:

cultural intelligence

Abstract

This study investigated the predictive relationships between cultural intelligence (CQ), personal orientation, and psychological adaptation among 193 expatriate students at the University of Jordan. The results revealed a significant positive correlation between CQ, personal orientation, and psychological adaptation. Regression analysis indicated that motivational CQ was the strongest predictor of psychological adaptation (62.5%), with a 73.2% prediction combined with metacognitive CQ. Productive personal orientation also demonstrated a significant predictive relationship with adaptation (52.1%). Interestingly, the cognitive dimension of CQ exhibited lower predictive power than the motivational and metacognitive dimensions, suggesting the importance of action-oriented and reflective capacities over purely knowledge-based components. Additionally, gender differences emerged, with females showing higher levels of CQ and psychological adaptation. While CQ and personal orientation both influence adaptation, their independence from one another suggests distinct pathways. 

Author Biographies

  • Alean Al-Krenawi , Algoma University, Canada

    Alean Al-Krenawi, Full Professor, Faculty of Humanities, Social Science and Cross-cultural Studies, Algoma University, Ontario, Canada. Email: alean.al-krenawi@algomau.ca; alean@bgu.ac.il

  • Numan Khaled Natsheh, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Jordan

    Numan Khaled Al-Natsheh, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Department of Clinical Psychology Email: Numan@ammanu.edu.jo, ORCID: 0009-0001-7908-401

  • Somaya Abdel-Hameed Al-Ja'afreh, The University of Jordan, Jordan

    Somaya Abdel-Hameed Al-Ja’afreh, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan. Email: s.jaafreh@ju.edu.jo,  ORCID: 0000-0002-2692-2025

  • Ahmad Nabeel Abudoush, The University of Jordan, Jordan

    Ahmad Nabeel Abudoush, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan. Email: a.abudoush@ju.edu.jo, ORCID: 0000-0002-7783-0921

  • Feras Ali Al-Habies , The University of Jordan, Jordan

    Feras Ali Al-Habies, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan. Email: f.alhabies@ju.edu.jo, ORCID: 0000-0002-7450-6934

  • Omar Abdallah Khawaldeh , The University of Jordan, Jordan

    Omar Abdallah Khawaldeh, Part-Time Lecturer, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan. Email: omarkhawaldah1990@gmail.com, ORCID: 0009-0002-6954-3786

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Published

2025-02-16

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 3 (2025): Journal of International Students (The Experience of Muslim Students and Scholars in Academic Institutions in the West)

Section

Experience of Muslim Students and Scholars

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How to Cite

Al-Krenawi , A., Natsheh, N. K., Al-Ja’afreh, S. A.-H. ., Abudoush, A. N. ., Al-Habies , F. A., & Khawaldeh , O. A. (2025). The predictive ability of cultural intelligence and character orientations for psychological adaptation in expatriates. Journal of International Students, 15(3), 151-162. https://doi.org/10.32674/1tb65j82