Acculturation and psychosocial adjustment of Chinese international students: Examining mediation and moderation effects

This study examined mechanisms through which acculturation influenced psychosocial adjustment of Chinese international students. Specifically, these mechanisms refer to the mediating and moderating effects of social interaction and social connectedness with host nationals upon the acculturation–adjustment linkages. Chinese international students from four universities in Texas responded to a web-based survey (N = 508). Results from regression analyses showed social connectedness with Americans mediated the links between adherence to the host culture (acculturation dimension) and psychosocial adjustment (i.e., depression and sociocultural adjustment difficulties). Social interaction with Americans moderated the association between adherence to the home culture (acculturation dimension) and depression. We discussed implications for theory and health promotion practice, and presented directions for future research.

Research highlights▶ Social connectedness with Americans mediated the links between adherence to the host culture and psychosocial adjustments. ▶ Social connectedness with Americans also had a large independent association with both psychosocial adjustments. ▶ Social interaction with Americans moderated the association between adherence to the home culture and depression.