Cross-cultural Differences Research Articles

Resilience and hopelessness mediate the relationship between benevolent childhood experiences and life satisfaction: evidence from a cross-cultural study.

A growing body of literature focuses on the role of benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs) in predicting adulthood well-being, in addition to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). However, cross-cultural differences are generally ignored in this endeavor. Hence, this study aimed to explore the role of BCEs in predicting life satisfaction, resilience, and hopelessness. We also examined the potential of resilience and the role of hopelessness in mediating the relationship between BCE and life satisfaction. A total of 850 university students from Turkey (n = 371), Portugal (n = 248), and India (n = 231), aged 17 to 58 years (M = 22.12, SD = 4.41), participated in the study. Participants completed an online protocol consisting of measures to assess BCEs, life satisfaction, resilience, and hopelessness. BCEs, hopelessness, and life satisfaction have significantly differed among the samples based on the country of residence. BCEs were positively correlated to resilience and life satisfaction and negatively to hopelessness. In the sequential mediation model, after controlling for country and sex, resilience and hopelessness sequentially mediated the relationship between BCEs and life satisfaction. BCEs were associated with life satisfaction, resilience, and hopelessness across countries and sexes. The model explains 42.8% of the variability. Despite differences between countries, BCEs are important predictors of adult well-being in all three countries and should be monitored along with ACE. Further, resilience seems to have an important role in lowering the negative consequences of lower BCEs and feelings of hopelessness, pointing to the need to strengthen psychological resilience among adults.

The Impact of Leadership Styles, Cultural Dimensions and Values on Academic Leaders

This study investigates the cultural dimensions, values, and leadership styles of school leaders in Indian K-12 and European schools, specifically focusing on cross-cultural differences. The objective is to explore how leadership styles and cultural orientations differ between Indian and European school leaders and to examine how these variations impact organizational culture and decision-making processes. A non-experimental quantitative research design was employed, utilizing standardized instruments such as the Multi-factor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ-Form 6S), OCTAPACE, and the Scale of Individual Cultural Values (CV) to measure leadership styles and cultural dimensions. Data were collected from 165 Indian leaders across Punjab, Haryana, Delhi-NCR, and Uttar Pradesh, as well as 156 European leaders from Croatia, Hungary, Poland, and others, using purposive and convenience sampling methods. Independent t-tests and Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) were used to compare the two regions' leadership styles and cultural orientations. The findings reveal that Indian school leaders predominantly demonstrate transformational and laissez-faire leadership behaviors, influenced by hierarchical structures prioritizing collective goals and authority delegation. Indian leaders scored higher on openness, trust, and collaboration dimensions, which align with collectivist and hierarchical cultural norms. In contrast, European leaders emphasized confrontation, authenticity, and individual autonomy, reflecting a preference for more egalitarian and individualistic decision-making approaches. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of how leadership and cultural values shape educational practices in different contexts.

Exploring the Longitudinal Links Popularity Goals and Adolescent Cyberbullying Perpetration: The Moderating Effects of Gender and Cultural Context

Background/Objectives: This longitudinal study aimed to examine how gender influences the relationship between popularity goals and cyberbullying perpetration among adolescents in China and the United States, controlling for peer-nominated popularity. Additionally, the study sought to identify potential cross-cultural differences in these dynamics. Methods: The research involved 1063 eighth and ninth graders (ages 12–16; 48.7% girls) who completed self-reported surveys in the fall of 2022 (Time 1) regarding cyberbullying behaviors and popularity goals. Peer nominations of popularity were also collected. Follow-up data on cyberbullying perpetration were obtained one year later in the fall of 2023 (Time 2). Results: Popularity goals were found to positively predict cyberbullying perpetration at Time 2 across all participants even after accounting for peer-nominated popularity. In China, this association was more pronounced among boys, whereas in the United States, the relationship was stronger for girls. Conclusions: Although cultural differences in the overall patterns were minimal, gender emerged as a significant moderating factor, revealing distinct cross-cultural variations. These findings underscore the need for culturally tailored approaches in interventions targeting adolescent cyberbullying.

An Eastern Look at a Western Dilemma: Cross-Cultural Differences in Action-Balanced Trolley Dilemmas

Moral judgment has been extensively studied utilizing traditional trolley-like sacrificial dilemmas. However, by building on Western philosophies and relying on WEIRD samples, this approach has potentially introduced a Western-centric bias to our understanding of the morality of sacrificial harm, by (a) assuming an inherent opposition between utilitarian and deontological morality and (b) underestimating cultural differences on the moral value of inaction. To address this bias, our study examined cross-cultural differences in moral judgment using an adapted methodology that equally weighs action/inaction framing and considers utilitarian and deontological choices separately. The findings demonstrate that Chinese participants ( n = 273) embraced a more holistic moral construct with utilitarian and deontological moral approaches being positively correlated, whereas American participants ( n = 240) viewed them as opposing to each other. Moreover, we also found that Chinese participants were more, rather than less utilitarian than American participants in trolley-like dilemmas when balancing action and inaction.

Referential transparency of verbs in child-directed input by Japanese and American caregivers.

Children acquiring Japanese differ from those acquiring English with regard to the rate at which verbs are learned (Fernald & Morikawa, ). One possible explanation is that Japanese caregivers use verbs in referentially transparent contexts, which facilitate the form-meaning link. We examined this hypothesis by assessing differences in verb usage by Japanese and American caregivers during dyadic play with their infants (5-22 months). We annotated verb-containing utterances for elements associated with referential transparency and compared across groups. Contrary to our hypotheses, we found that Japanese caregivers used verbs in fewer referentially transparent contexts than American caregivers, or did not significantly differ from American caregivers, depending on the measure. These findings cast doubt on cross-cultural differences in referential transparency between Japanese and American child-directed input.

Correction to “cross-cultural differences in memory specificity: Investigation of candidate mechanisms” by Leger and Gutchess (2021).

Correction to “cross-cultural differences in memory specificity: Investigation of candidate mechanisms” by Leger and Gutchess (2021).

Arabic within culture forensic interviews: Arabic native speaking lay-observer truth and lie accuracy, confidence, and verbal cue selection.

Cross cultural differences in behavioral and verbal norms and expectations can undermine credibility, often triggering a lie bias which can result in false convictions. However, current understanding is heavily North American and Western European centric, hence how individuals from non-western cultures infer veracity is not well understood. We report novel research investigating native Arabic speakers' truth and lie judgments having observed a matched native language forensic interview with a mock person of interest. 217 observers viewed a truthful or a deceptive interview and were directed to attend to detailedness as a veracity cue or given no direction. Overall, a truth bias (66% accuracy) emerged, but observers were more accurate (79%) in the truth condition with the truthful interviewee rated as more plausible and more believable than the deceptive interviewee. However, observer accuracy dropped to just 23% when instructed to use the detailedness cue when judging veracity. Verbal veracity cues attended too were constant across veracity conditions with 'corrections' emerging as an important veracity cue. Some results deviate from the findings of research with English speaking western participants in cross- and matched-culture forensic interview contexts, but others are constant. Nonetheless, this research raises questions for research to practice in forensic contexts centred on the robustness of western centric psychological understanding for non-western within culture interviews centred on interview protocols for amplifying veracity cues and the instruction to note detailedness of verbal accounts which significantly hindered Arabic speaker's performance. Findings again highlight the challenges of pancultural assumptions for real-world practices.

Motivated to feel better and doing something about it: Cross-cultural differences in motivated emotion regulation during COVID-19.

Motivated to feel better and doing something about it: Cross-cultural differences in motivated emotion regulation during COVID-19.

Work value profiles across cultures: an application of the multiple-group latent profile procedure in Switzerland, Spain, the United States and China

PurposeThis study explores the differences and similarities of work value profiles in samples of business students from four countries with markedly different cultures and labor markets.Design/methodology/approachWe used multiple-group latent profile analysis (LPA) to explore the differences and similarities in work value profiles across cultures (n = 317 from Switzerland, n = 313 from Spain, n = 326 from the United States and n = 327 from China).FindingsThe latent profiles mostly show similarities across countries: the largest profiles are a want it all and a humble profile with overall high and intermediate levels in all work values. An overall low work value levels profile and one stressing high security and pay emerged in all countries except Switzerland. In the Swiss sample, two unique profiles emerged: the no status and freelancers profiles.Practical implicationsThis study has implications for employee attraction, relations and career counseling with culturally diverse populations.Originality/valueStudies on work values across cultures most often make direct comparisons between samples, which can lead to excessive emphasis on sometimes small differences. By first studying within-culture differences before comparing the results across cultures, we find that there may be more similarities than differences in work values across cultures and that cross-cultural differences may have often been overstated.

Supplemental Material for Motivated to Feel Better and Doing Something About It: Cross-Cultural Differences in Motivated Emotion Regulation During COVID-19

Supplemental Material for Motivated to Feel Better and Doing Something About It: Cross-Cultural Differences in Motivated Emotion Regulation During COVID-19

Human-Robot Intimacy: Acceptance of Robots as Intimate Companions.

Depictions of robots as romantic partners for humans are frequent in popular culture. As robots become part of human society, they will gradually assume the role of partners for humans whenever necessary, as assistants, collaborators, or companions. Companion robots are supposed to provide social contact to those who would not have it otherwise. These companion robots are usually not designed to fulfill one of the most important human needs: the one for romantic and intimate contact. Human-robot intimacy remains a vastly unexplored territory. In this article, we review the state-of-the-art research in intimate robotics. We discuss major issues limiting the acceptance of robots as intimate partners, the public perception of robots in intimate roles, and the possible influence of cross-cultural differences in these domains. We also discuss the possible negative effects human-robot intimacy may have on human-human contact. Most importantly, we propose a new term "intimate companion robots" to reduce the negative connotations of the other terms that have been used so far and improve the social perception of research in this domain. With this article, we provide an outlook on prospects for the development of intimate companion robots, considering the specific context of their use.

Impact of Natural Disasters on Mental Health: Evidence and Implications.

Natural disasters are large-scale catastrophic events, and they are increasing in frequency and severity. Converging evidence indicates that the mental health consequences of disasters are extensive and are often associated with trauma and the disruption of personal and socioeconomic factors in people's lives. Although most individuals experiencing disaster-related traumatic events do not develop mental illnesses, some experience adverse psychological effects of disasters. These mental health effects begin immediately following a disaster and may persist for extended periods. In this article, we summarize the literature findings to provide a narrative review that focuses on the mental health consequences of natural disasters. An overview of the disaster mental health research field is provided, and the findings are ordered into theoretical frameworks. Then, the development and course of psychopathology regarding disaster aftermath are described in a methodological context. Next, understanding a disaster as an event of transition is highlighted, and the impact of this disaster-specific transition is discussed. Lastly, a potential relationship between the transitional impact of a disaster and mental health consequences is speculated on, and the implications are discussed. The impact of disasters on mental health can be direct or indirect, short-term or long-term, and to some extent depends on the recovery process of the affected community. Also, we propose the possible merits of using the Transitional Impact Scale in the context of disaster mental health research by assessing the features of disaster-related transition and its effects on mental health. We conclude by suggesting a direction for future research in terms of measuring the disaster mental health effects in community settings (affected vs. non-affected) and also considering cross-cultural and cross-regional differences. In recent decades, a large amount of knowledge has been gathered from disaster mental health research, but, still, more research is needed to resolve some irregular findings through refining the methodological variations.

Ukrainian adaptation of the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS)

Expanding the methodological toolkit of research, particularly through adapting foreign psychometric tools, is crucial for Ukrainian psychology. This allows for conducting new research and comparing its results. One promising direction is studying the impostor phenomenon, manifested in an individual’s doubts about their achievements. The Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale, developed by foreign researchers, is used for this purpose. This study aimed to adapt the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale into Ukrainian. The Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale was translated into Ukrainian by two psychologists using the back-translation method. The research sample consisted of 297 students aged 18 to 22 (M = 20.4, SD = 1.49), including 82 males and 215 females. Descriptive statistics, reliability analysis of scales, correlation analysis (Spearman’s coefficient), and confirmatory factor analysis were used. The results of the study indicate a considerable degree of consistency between the obtained data and the foundational theoretical model. The assessment of content validity revealed a significant number of statistically significant correlations. A high level of test-retest reliability was identified for the adapted methodology. The resulting factor model is conceptually similar to the original; however, it is not identical. Other studies have also noted the emergence of new factor models, suggesting the potential for refinement of this methodology or reflecting age, temporal, and cross-cultural differences among the subjects studied. The evaluation of the psychometric characteristics of the Ukrainian version of the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale demonstrated high internal validity and reliability for the adapted tool. The Ukrainian version of the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale may be valuable for the psychodiagnosis of impostor syndrome manifestations and further standardisation and application in comparative research. The findings could contribute to optimising psychological support by taking into account the specific characteristics of impostor syndrome in the course of psychological work

A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Cat–Human Relationships in the United States and Japan

ABSTRACT Across the world, more and more cats are being kept in captive spaces such as homes, animal shelters, and cat cafés. There is a growing need to understand whether cross-cultural differences influence human–animal interactions in these human-controlled environments. Cats are one of the world’s most popular companion animals, and both the US and Japan have high rates of cat ownership. However, cultural differences may account for differences in how people feel about cats and how humans and cats behave toward one another. The research aim was to examine whether differences exist between the US and Japan across multiple facets of the human–cat relationship. Study 1 examined each country’s attitude toward pet cats. Results indicate US citizens have significantly more positive attitudes toward pet cats than Japanese citizens. Study 2 examined owner attachment to their cat and pet cat social behavior. Results indicate owners in both countries were highly attached to their cats. In the US, but not Japan, owner attachment level predicted pet cat sociability toward the owner. Study 3 examined cat social behavior in cat cafés. The results of studies 2 and 3 indicate that pet cats and café cats in the US spend a greater proportion of time in proximity to people compared with pet and café cats in Japan. In all, differences and similarities were seen between the US and Japan. In humans, differences in childhood cat experiences and lower rates of cat ownership may impact attitudes toward cats. In pet cats, owner characteristics, the size of the cat’s environment, cat care practices, and attitudes toward cats may impact cat social behavior. Future exploration in this area can benefit our understanding of cross-cultural human–animal interactions and how to apply these findings to improve captive-cat welfare.

Affective and cognitive factors associated with Chinese and Italian children’s arithmetic performance

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the cognitive and affective factors associated with cross-cultural differences in arithmetic tasks.MethodsA total of 404 third- and fourth- graders were recruited from China and Italy to complete exact arithmetic, arithmetic estimation and cognitive tasks (i.e., short-term memory, executive functions, and fluid reasoning). Their mathematical anxiety was also measured.ResultsThe results showed that Chinese children performed better than Italian children in both arithmetic tasks and in shifting task. Italian children performed better in visuospatial updating task and reported higher levels of mathematical anxiety than their Chinese peers. Multi-group path analyses showed that the patterns of relations among cognitive factors (i.e., short-term memory, inhibition and shifting), mathematical anxiety, and arithmetic performance were similar across groups. The only exception was that visuospatial updating uniquely predicted arithmetic estimation for Chinese but not for Italian children.ConclusionsChinese children outperformed their Italian peers in the exact arithmetic task, likely due to the greater emphasis on arithmetic fluency in Chinese mathematics education, both in schools and at home. They also had a slight advantage than Italian peers in the arithmetic estimation task. The unique link between updating and arithmetic estimation found in Chinese children but not Italian children suggests that, although arithmetic estimation is not emphasized in the curricula of either country, instruction and practice in exact arithmetic may enhance Chinese children’s efficiency in solving arithmetic estimation problems.

Cross-cultural differences in the effects of the ambient scent on in-store behavior: the role of companionship

While previous studies have examined the influence of store atmospherics and social factors independently, limited research has investigated their synergistic impacts across cultures. In particular, the interactions between ambient scents, companionship influences, and cross-cultural shopping customs remain underexplored. Therefore, this study investigates how ambient scents influence retail shopping behaviors with a companion across cultures. Data were collected via surveys administered to customers in Polish and Indian shopping malls (N = 579), examining the impact of detected fragrances on time spent, money spent, purchase decisions, cognitive responses, and attitudes. Shopping with a companion in a scented environment has a more positive influence on time spent, money spent and impulse purchases in India than in Poland. There is no difference between these two cultures regarding cognitive responses to a scented retail environment, but there are significant differences for attitudinal responses and repurchase intentions. We found a positive association between the consumer rating of the shopping environment in terms of the ambient scent and the amount of money spent in India, but not in Poland. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed for optimizing atmospheric design according to cultural customs around shopping companionships.

Cross-cultural differences and acculturation in affective response and sensory perception: a case study across Chinese immigrants and local consumers in New Zealand

Understanding cross-cultural variation in perception is essential for identifying culture-specific factors impacting product acceptability. While immigrants may initially maintain their preferences, acculturation levels vary. To understand to what extent immigrants can be used as a proxy to model overseas markets, this study investigated short (CHS) and long-term (CHL) Chinese immigrant responses to plain yoghurts compared to New Zealand (NZ) Europeans (E). Three groups (CHS, CHL and NZE, n = 222) evaluated liking of, emotional response to, and sensory perception of 10 plain yoghurts. Groups liked yoghurts similarly. Notably, NZE rated emotions lower than both immigrant groups, with a few exceptions. Both Chinese groups rated most emotions similarly, but CHL rated some closer to NZE. Positive emotions correlated with higher liking scores. However, cross-cultural differences existed for ‘guilty’ which was associated with yoghurts liked by NZE; and for ‘wild’ and ‘mild’ associated with yoghurts disliked by both immigrant groups. Citation proportions for some sensory attributes differed among all groups, dependent on the sample. But level of acculturation between immigrant groups was limited. Sweetness, vanilla, stone fruit and cream flavours, smoothness, and creaminess drove liking across all groups, whereas only the Chinese valued umami, undoubtedly due to positive associations with it. Some effects of acculturation for long-term immigrants were evident, but responses were often closer to their short-term counterparts. Therefore, immigrants in general provide a useful proxy for measuring consumer responses in early stages of product development for this overseas market, but with consideration of their residence time in the host culture.

Measurement invariance of the Facebook intrusion questionnaire across 25 countries.

Facebook is one of the most popular social networking sites. However, Facebook intrusion or addiction is a growing concern as it involves an excessive attachment to Facebook, which disrupts daily functioning. To date, few studies have examined whether cross-cultural differences in the measurement of Facebook addiction exist. The aim of this study was to investigate the cross-cultural validity and measurement invariance of the Facebook Intrusion Questionnaire (FIQ), one of the most widely used measures of Facebook addiction, across 25 countries (N = 12,204, 62.3% female; mean age = 25 years). Multigroup confirmatory factor analyses (MGCFA) assessed cross-cultural validity as well as invariance. Additionally, individual confirmatory factor analyses evaluated the factorial structure and measurement invariance across genders in each country. The FIQ demonstrated partial metric invariance across countries and metric (13 countries), scalar (11 countries) or residual (10 countries) invariance across genders within individual countries. A one-factor model indicated a good fit in 18 countries. Cronbach's alpha for the entire sample was .85. Our findings suggest that the FIQ may provide an adequate assessment of Facebook addiction that is psychometrically equivalent across cultures. Moreover, the questionnaire seems to be universal and suitable for studying different social media in distinct cultural environments. Consequently, this robust tool can be used to explore behaviours related to specific media that are particularly popular in any given country.

Examination of Measures of Perfectionism for Structural and Measurement Invariance in an Italian and a Canadian Sample

Perfectionism measures developed in English-speaking populations have become frequently used in many non-English contexts, including in Italy. Establishing structural and measurement equivalence of instruments between Canadian and Italian samples is therefore important in establishing the validity of these concepts and instruments in Italian contexts, and to allow for direct cross-cultural comparisons. The current study investigated the measurement equivalence between a Canadian and an Italian sample for the commonly used measures of perfectionism constructs based on the Comprehensive Model of Perfectionistic Behavior. The Hewitt & Flett Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, the Perfectionistic Self-Presentation Scale, and the Perfectionism Cognitions Inventory were examined for configural, metric, and scalar invariance via equivalence testing of multigroup confirmatory factor analysis models. The results showed some evidence for configural and metric equivalence for the three measures, thus facilitating cross-cultural interpretation of pattern of associations. However, there was no consistent evidence for scalar invariance, thus suggesting that direct comparisons of perfectionism levels between the two contexts cannot be meaningfully interpreted. This highlights the need for research in both Canadian and Italian contexts to understand cross-cultural differences and similarities in perfectionism.

Cross-cultural comparison of low back pain in the nursing workforce: A pilot study.

This study aimed to analyse cross-cultural differences in the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and other back pain of general nurses in direct inpatient care in the Czech Republic (CZ) and Great Britain (GB). The survey was used using an extended standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and self-created additional questions. The data were analysed with Stata 15 using a significance level of 0.05. The data analysis was based on 1043 questionnaires. We identified statistically significant differences in the LBP prevalence between the respondents (CZ 93% and GB 85%) over a period of 12 months. Nurses in both countries stated a higher prevalence of LBP compared to pain in the neck, shoulders or upper back. LBP increases in relation to age, length of work experience, body mass index (BMI) and university education (BSc). Age, length of work experience, BMI and education (nursing college and master's degree) were confirmed as significant risks contributing to the increased prevalence of other back pain as well. Respondents reported a reduction in work performance, leisure activities and the need to change profession in relation to LBP. The results of the study confirm that LBP is a frequent occupational health issue in the general nurses working in direct inpatient care in both countries.