This controlled longitudinal intervention field study explored the influence of anticipatory fear, both on natural processes of foreign student adjustment and on the effectiveness of a cross-cultural orientation program based on a stress inoculation treatment (SIT) model. Guided by predictions derived from I. L. Janis's theory of anticipatory fear, we investigated changes over time in the emotions, stress evaluations, coping strategies, and adaptational outcomes of 39 newly arrived Asians during their first academic year at Stanford University. Subjects were randomly assigned to a minimal treatment condition or a SIT condition and later classified by level of anticipatory fear. Results indicated that level of anticipatory fear is an important variable that deepens our understanding of natural patterns of foreign student adjustment. A moderate anticipatory fear response was discovered to be associated with more adaptive outcomes than low and high anticipatory fear responses. Consistent with Janis's theoretical rationale for SIT, individuals with different levels of anticipatory fear were found to differ in their responses to this form of treatment, with the low-fear group showing the clearest signs of benefit. These findings suggested that how a person responds to novelty and uncertainty is a key factor in cross-cultural adjustment. The practical importance of assessing the anticipatory fear of newly arrived foreign students and of taking this variable into account in designing and evaluating cross-cultural training programs was also emphasized. © 1995.

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