The Diplomatic Spouse: Relationships between Adjustment, Social Support and Satisfaction with Life

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between adjustment, social support and satisfaction with life for expatriate spouses. The sample consists of European diplomatic spouses, residing all over the world. The sample consists of 268 participants: 231 females and 44 males. The findings of this study reveal that there was a significant relationship between adjustment and emotional and instrumental support as well as satisfaction with life. Further a multiple regression was performed to predict the level of satisfaction with life. Both adjustment and emotional support were statistically significant and they explained nearly 30% of the variability in participant’s satisfaction with life. In relation to theory, this study contributes to the field of cross-cultural research and it helps to further explain expatriate spouses’ cross-cultural adaptation. This study also furthers previous research in the field of International Human Resource Management. On the practical side, testing the relationship between adjustment, social support and satisfaction with life, Foreign Ministries within the European Union will be in a better position to improve their expatriate programs and policies.