Journal of Intercultural Communication Research
Volume 40, Issue 3, 2011, Pages 219-236

The Role of Language Competence, Interpersonal Relationships, and Media Use in Bosnian Refugees' Resettlement Process (Article)

Cheah W.H. , Karamehic-Muratovic A. , Matsuo H. , Poljarevic A.
  • a Department of Speech Communication, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 3116 Alumni Hall, Edwardsville, IL 62026, United States
  • b Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO, United States
  • c Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO, United States
  • d Department of Family Therapy and Counseling, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO, United States

Abstract

Guided by Kim's Integrative Theory of Communication and Cross-Cultural Adaptation, this study examined the role of language competence, interpersonal relationships, and media use in refugee resettlement using data from 315 Bosnians living in St. Louis, Missouri. The participants were recruited via the snowball sampling technique, and their host language competence, host and ethnic interpersonal relationships, host and ethnic media use, functional fitness, psychological health, U.S. cultural and ethnic identity salience, and demographic information were measured. A total of six hypotheses and two research questions were examined. Correlation analyses revealed that host language competence, host and ethnic interpersonal relationships and media use, all positively contribute to refugees' adaptation. © 2011 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Author Keywords

Competence media use Intercultural transformation Host and Ethnic Interpersonal Relationships

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84859351382&doi=10.1080%2f17475759.2011.618842&partnerID=40&md5=614c8bee545758ae95a40532072e47a0
DOI: 10.1080/17475759.2011.618842
ISSN: 17475759
Cited by: 8
Original Language: English