Sojourner expectations: Are they met and does it matter if they’re not?

Nicolas Geeraert,Kali A Demes,Colleen Ward

doi:10.1016/j.ijintrel.2021.06.004

Abstract

This research examines the association between cross-cultural travelers’ well-being and the discrepancy between expected and experienced adaptation, in a longitudinal study of intercultural exchange students (N = 1762; Mage = 17 years; 70 % female). Specifically, two competing hypotheses were tested. Whereas the accuracy hypothesis suggests that unmet expectations lead to poorer outcomes, the directional hypothesis proposes that the outcome of unmet expectations will depend on whether expectations are overmet or undermet. Both sojourners’ adaptation expectations (pre-travel) and adaptation experiences (during the sojourn) were measured alongside general well-being. Controlling for baseline, well-being during the sojourn was regressed on the direction (undermet or overmet) and the magnitude (extent of discrepancy) of the adaptation expectation-experience discrepancies. These analyses were conducted across time (at entry or 5 months into the sojourn), different types of adaptation (psychological and sociocultural adaptation), and different measures of well-being (stress and satisfaction with life). Across analyses, results indicate that the direction of mismatch appears to matter little for small mismatches. However, for larger mismatches a positive effect emerged for sojourner well-being when the experience was better than expected, but a negative effect when the experience was worse than expected. Overall, the results support a directional hypothesis.

Highlights

The above quotes from international students in our study suggest that expectations color the experience of cross-cultural tran sition
It is well known that sojourners, including international students and expatriates, and longer term immigrants face multiple challenges during cross-cultural transitions
Results show that pre-travel adaptation expectations were significantly and positively correlated with adaptation experience at both time waves, for both sociocultural (t3: r = .52, p < .001, t5: r = .35, p < .001) and psychological adaptation (t3: r = .42, p < .001, t5: r = .29, p < .001)

Summary

Introduction

The above quotes from international students in our study suggest that expectations color the experience of cross-cultural tran sition. It is well known that sojourners, including international students and expatriates, and longer term immigrants face multiple challenges during cross-cultural transitions These challenges involve both generic changes linked to migration, such as alterations in living conditions, social activities, and friendship networks, as well as more specific intercultural pressures, such as acquiring cultural knowledge, learning culturally appropriate skills and minimizing acculturative stress (Ward & Geeraert, 2016; Ward, Bochner, & Furnham, 2001). As both generic and culture-specific factors may impede the process of adapting to an unfamiliar cultural milieu, acculturation research has tended to focus on expectations about managing the practicalities of daily living, engaging in effective and satisfying intercultural interactions, and ensuring psychological and emotional well-being. That not all expectations play a significant role in predicting adaptive outcomes (Negy, Schwartz, & Reig-Ferrer, 2009; Weissman & Furnham, 1987)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion