The Role of Language Competence, Interpersonal Relationships, and Media Use in Bosnian Refugees’ Resettlement Process

Abstract

Guided by Kim's Integrative Theory of Communication and Cross-Cultural Adaptation, this study examined the role of language competence, interpersonal relationships, and media use in refugee resettlement using data from 315 Bosnians living in St. Louis, Missouri. The participants were recruited via the snowball sampling technique, and their host language competence, host and ethnic interpersonal relationships, host and ethnic media use, functional fitness, psychological health, U.S. cultural and ethnic identity salience, and demographic information were measured. A total of six hypotheses and two research questions were examined. Correlation analyses revealed that host language competence, host and ethnic interpersonal relationships and media use, all positively contribute to refugees’ adaptation.