International Journal of Intercultural Relations
Volume 63, 2018, Pages 95-104

Self-determined motivation for studying abroad predicts lower culture shock and greater well-being among international students: The mediating role of basic psychological needs satisfaction (Article)

Yang Y.* , Zhang Y. , Sheldon K.M.
  • a Beijing Key Laboratory of Applied Experimental Psychology, Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing, China, Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, United States
  • b Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, United States
  • c Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, United States, International Laboratory of Positive Psychology of Personality and Motivation, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Russian Federation

Abstract

Study abroad programs are becoming increasingly popular, yet leaving home to live in a foreign country can be very stressful. We tested the idea that self-determined motivation to study abroad can prevent students from experiencing culture shock and support their subjective well-being, using a sample of 131 international students studying in the United States. After controlling for demographic variables, personality traits, length of stay in the United States, and external difficulties (e.g., language), self-determined study abroad motivation was associated with lower culture shock and greater contextual subjective well-being. Furthermore, basic psychological needs satisfaction fully mediated these relationships. The present study shows that international students’ motivation influences their acculturation, by helping them to meet their own needs in the new context. Theoretical and practical implications, as well as study limitations, are discussed. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd

Author Keywords

Culture shock Basic psychological needs satisfaction Self-determined motivation Subjective well-being

Index Keywords

major clinical study Personality length of stay theoretical study language cultural factor satisfaction motivation student human wellbeing United States
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85032204908&doi=10.1016%2fj.ijintrel.2017.10.005&partnerID=40&md5=f64f344162c54afe3ef05aa95dc3f9e5
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijintrel.2017.10.005
ISSN: 01471767
Cited by: 4
Original Language: English