Emotional Intelligence, Coping Responses, and Length of Stay as Correlates of Acculturative Stress Among International University Students in Thailand

Abstract

This study sought to determine the relationship of acculturative stress with emotional intelligence, coping responses, and length of stay in Thailand, and to identify the best predictors of acculturative stress. The participants were 216 foreign students with the majority attending undergraduate courses from seven universities in Thailand. The findings showed that stress due to change or culture shock, perceived discrimination, and homesickness defined participants’ experience of acculturative stress. Low levels of acculturative stress were found to be significantly correlated with length of stay in Thailand, emotional intelligence, active coping responses (logical analysis and seeking guidance), and passive coping responses (cognitive avoidance, acceptance/resignation, emotional discharge). However, emotional intelligence and acceptance were significant predictors of acculturative stress. Implications for enhancing adjustment to acculturative stress among international students and future research directions are discussed.