The influence of self construals and communication styles on sojourners’ psychological and sociocultural adjustment

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of self construals and communication styles on psychological and sociocultural adjustment based on Ward et al.’s psychological and sociocultural adjustment model. It was hypothesized that a close fit between sojourners’ self construals and the self construal that predominates in the host culture predicts sojourners’ psychological adjustment. Similarly, it was hypothesized that a close fit between sojourners’ and host nationals’ communication styles predicts sojourners’ sociocultural adjustment. The independent self construal, the prototypical self construal in the host culture, predicted psychological adjustment. The interdependent self construal was not related to psychological adjustment. Use of direct communication and positive perceptions of silence, prototypical communication styles in the host culture, were related to sociocultural adjustment and consistent with expectations. In addition, sensitivity to others’ behavior predicted sociocultural adjustment.