The influence of trait mindfulness on the acculturation process in study abroad: an examination of cross-cultural adaptation in the interpersonal communiative context of social support
Date
2011
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
The purpose of the current research was to explore the influence of trait mindfulness on intercultural communication by examining skilled support seeking from host nationals among study abroad students. The research aimed to extend the study abroad literature by assessing the processes involved during cross-cultural adaptation and determining what factors lead to successful study abroad experiences in terms of state of emotional well-being. Four hundred students who participated in study abroad programs at the University of Delaware completed an online questionnaire measuring their levels of trait mindfulness, affective competence, relationships established with host nationals, skilled support seeking, perceived social support, and feelings of loneliness. Results suggest that to a certain degree trait mindfulness can help to facilitate greater support seeking from host nationals among study abroad students, and as a result, mitigate their feelings of loneliness while abroad and lead to successful overseas experiences. Notably, the results also reveal that program duration plays a larger role than mindfulness in predicting relationship formation with host nationals. This provides support for the on-going concern in study abroad research regarding benefits gained from short-term vs. long-term study abroad programs. The model in this research incorporates trait mindfulness as an influencing variable on the ability to communicate with individuals of different cultural backgrounds, thus providing initial support for the role of trait mindfulness in the field of intercultural communication. The current research helps to fill the gap in study abroad literature of evaluating the processes instead of only focusing on outcomes of study abroad participation, and also provides an avenue for future research in intercultural communication.