Predictors of Intercultural Relationships on the Behavioural and Psychological Cross-Cultural Adaptation among University Students
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Abstract
Intercultural relationships profoundly impact cross-cultural adaptation. However, previous studies have mainly investigated intercultural communication competence, and studies examining intercultural relationships are scarce. This study aimed to identify intercultural relationships, namely academic, friendship, and romantic, as predictors of psychological and behavioural cross-cultural adaptation among university students in Malaysia. This study used the Integrative Theory of Communication and Cross-Cultural Adaptation as the theoretical framework. Quantitative research was employed using a purposive sampling technique among Malaysian university students, and 340 valid responses were collected. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was used for the data analysis. The results found that intercultural friendship and intercultural academic relationships are the predictors of behavioural and psychological cross-cultural adaptation. However, romantic relationships were not predictors. The study urged universities and the government to craft policies that embrace a multicultural-friendly environment and foster cross-cultural adaptation through the educational curriculum and co-curricular activities.
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