ANALYZING FACTORS THAT IMPACT ACCULTURATION PROCESSES OF IMMIGRANT RESIDENTS

Abstract

Existing literature suggests that immigrant residents’ acculturation process is affects by both internal and external factors that are in conflict with those of the host culture. The purpose of this study is to explore the factors that affect the acculturation of immigrant population living in transnational communities in China. Data collection included more than 80H of community participatory observation and 50 interviews in total. Respondents were 50 immigrant residents living in transnational communities in Yiwu, China. The analysis finds that the individual factors including gender, culture identity, and timing of their immigration, Chinese language proficiency, personal goals and expectations have a significant impact on the acculturation of immigrant residents. Meanwhile, social factors such as community support, social support, values of residents also have a significant impact on the acculturation of immigrants. The findings represent an in-depth consideration of the acculturation process of the immigrant residents and can therefore be seen as an important step in developing an understanding of the influencing factors that characterize the acculturation of immigrant population in China.