Communication in the intercultural reentry: Student sojourners'perceptions of change in reentry relationship

Abstract

This article first presents a theoretical rationale for investigating the role of communication in reentry relationships, then describes the results of a study investigating student sojouners' (N = 173) perceptions of positive and negative changes in three types of reentry relationships (parent, sibling, and friend). Results of statistical analyses revealed that the degree of positive and negative change reported by the sojourners varied with the particular type of relationship. Specifically, relationships with parents and siblings were perceived to have changed more positively than negatively. This somewhat contradicts previous research characterizing reentry relationships as problematic. Relationships with friends were perceived to have changed both negatively and positively. These results are interpreted from various theoretical perspectives and the author speculates on the specific role of communication in each type of reentry relationship.