Cross-cultural Efficacy Research Articles

Cross-Cultural Efficacy of the Acceptance and Cognitive Restructuring Intervention Program (ACRIP) on the Internet Gaming Disorder Symptoms of Selected Asian Adolescents.

Empirical evidence shows that Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) with poor psychological well-being increases. IGD hasbecome an emerging issue of significant public health concern andthe World Health Organization has recently recognized it as a mental health condition. This study examined the efficacy of the Acceptance and Cognitive Restructuring Intervention Program (ACRIP) in reducing the symptoms of IGD and improving the psychological well-being of adolescent gamers from select Asian cultures after proving it effective in a prior study in the Indian setting. The development of the ACRIP employed a sequential exploratory research design and randomized controlled trial on thirty participants. Internet Gaming Disorder (IGDS9-SF) and Ryff's Psychological well-being (PWB) scales were used to measure the severity of the gaming disorder and the state of psychological health of the experimental and control groups. Power analysis ascertained the study with a power of 0.90, indicating a strong probability of obtaining a statistically significant effect. Statistical analyses using paired t-test and MANOVA on post-test mean scores on IGD and PWB of the experimental group showed a significant difference which suggested that the ACRIP is efficacious and culture-free.

Advancing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Diagnosis and the Treatment of Trauma in Humanitarian Emergencies via Mobile Health: Protocol for a Proof-of-Concept Nonrandomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundDecentralized health systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) affected by humanitarian crises lack resources and a qualified workforce to attend to the overwhelming demand for mental health care in emergencies. Innovative approaches that are safe, cost-effective, and scalable are needed to address the burden of traumatic stress caused by emergencies. High mobile phone ownership rates combined with the precision of neural, cognitive, and biometric measures of trauma and their feasible integration with artificial intelligence makes digital app interventions a promising pathway to promote precision diagnosis and high-impact care.ObjectiveThis study aimed to advance methods for the objective diagnosis and treatment of trauma in emergencies across LMICs by examining neural, cognitive, and biometric markers and the efficacy of the eResilience app, a neuroscience-informed mobile health mental health app intervention, via changes in clinical symptomatology, cognitive performance, and brain activity.MethodsTrauma-exposed African refugees residing in Australia were selected for this study. A research software version of the eResilience app with advanced monitoring capabilities was designed for this trial. Participants completed the eResilience app at home during a 7-day period. Clinical, cognitive, and electrophysiological data were collected at baseline, along with posttest measurements to examine biomarkers of trauma and the efficacy of the proposed digital intervention for the treatment of trauma and its potential outcomes, including depression, anxiety, physical symptoms, self-harm, substance misuse, and cognitive impairment. In addition, biofeedback, well-being, and subjective stress data points were collected via the app during the treatment week, followed by clinical interviews at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the intervention.ResultsData collection was conducted between 2018 and 2020. A total of 100 participants exposed to war were screened; 75 (75%) were enrolled and assigned to a trauma-exposed control (38/75, 51%) or posttraumatic stress disorder condition (37/75, 49%); and 70 (70%) completed all baseline, treatment, and posttest assessments. A total of 89% (62/70) of those who completed the intervention opted to enroll in the 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. Data collection is complete. As of May 2022, the results of all proposed analyses are being prepared for publication. If proven efficacious, this proof-of-concept clinical trial will inform fully powered randomized clinical trials in LMICs to further develop artificial intelligence–powered, app-based diagnostic and prognostic features and determine the app’s cross-cultural efficacy for the treatment of trauma in emergency settings.ConclusionsThis protocol provides researchers with a comprehensive background of the study rationale, a detailed guideline for replication studies interested in examining the feasibility and efficacy of the eResilience app across varied demographics, and a robust framework for investigating low-cost objective diagnostic markers in mental health interventions. Methodological limitations and suggestions are also provided.Trial RegistrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12616001205426; https://tinyurl.com/yckwc4d7International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR1-10.2196/38223

Teaching Virtual and Cross-Cultural Collaborations: Exploring Experiences of Croatia- and U.S.-Based Undergraduate Students

Two important characteristics of contemporary teamwork are working with colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds and working in virtual teams. Hence, preparing students to successfully navigate through the business world must include developing these two skills. To investigate learning for both cross-cultural and virtual collaboration, we conducted a cross-cultural virtual team experiential exercise with 635 undergraduate students comprising 189 teams. The exercise was part of Organizational Behavior classes at three university campuses—two in the United States and one in Croatia. Data analysis examining skills development and efficacy demonstrated a significant increase in virtual team efficacy for all students and a significant increase in cross-cultural efficacy for students in Croatia. Qualitative results point to differences in key lessons learned between U.S. and Croatian students, such as communication skills, time management skills, and intensity of the experience. We provide a description of the exercise, lessons learned, and suggestions for future use, including adaptations to smaller class sizes.

Advertising guilt-laden vacations: The cross-cultural efficacy of a guilt decreasing appeal

Abstract The objective of this study is to assess, across two cultures with different values, the effectiveness of guilt-decreasing appeals in reducing anticipated guilt toward a luxury vacation without compromising levels of happiness. An experimental design with two experiments was used to test the hypothesized relationships. In study one, we demonstrate that a guilt decreasing appeal is effective at reducing anticipated guilt and preserving the anticipated happiness levels, when the advertisement is perceived as credible by consumers. In study two, we demonstrate that a guilt decreasing appeal is effective for two cultures (French and Chinese) that are characterized by different values. The results contribute to the limited literature on the effectiveness of guilt decreasing marketing appeals in a cross-cultural context and have practical implications for designing global tourism advertising strategies and execution using this emotional appeal.

The importance of metacognition and the experiential learning process within a cultural intelligence–based approach to cross-cultural coaching

Orientation: Research on cultural intelligence (CQ) is increasingly used to evaluate, explain and predict the cross-cultural efficacy of management behaviour in everyday cross-cultural interactions. However, there is limited evidence in cross-cultural coaching of the use of a CQ-based approach incorporating metacognition and experiential learning theory (ELT).Research purpose: This article explored the theoretical linkages, benefits and directions of CQ for enhancing cross-cultural coaching.Motivation for the study: Exploration of theoretical perspectives of CQ for application in cross-cultural coaching.Research design, approach and method: A critical interpretative synthesis research methodology was employed to identify and study key concepts. The methodology is sensitive to the emergence of meaning in a diverse body of literature from adjacent disciplines.Main findings: This research suggests four findings motivating a CQ-based approach for cross-cultural coaching: firstly, the recognition of the use of metacognitive strategies in (cross-cultural) coaching; secondly, the usefulness of metacognition to cross-cultural coaching for grasping and transforming cultural experience and insights into culturally appropriate behaviour; thirdly, an understanding of the significance of suitability and predisposition of certain learning styles to cross-cultural learning effectiveness and lastly, acknowledging the importance of a heightened focus on the experiential learning process within the cross-cultural coaching engagement.Practical and managerial implications: Key concepts and insights from research on CQ have application in cross-cultural coaching in pursuit of the transformation of cultural awareness and insight into culturally appropriate behaviour.Contribution/value-add: This research motivates the use of a CQ-based approach incorporating metacognition and ELT to cross-cultural coaching.

Engaging Communities in Nursing Education

This article highlights the efforts of a nursing program at a faith-based university to implement community engagement learning experiences in an undergraduate curriculum with the aim of preparing nurses to contribute to reducing health disparities, value cross-cultural efficacy, and develop a commitment to serving diverse populations. Students participated in community engagement learning experiences over five semesters in the same community organization, which was either a church, school, or other organization that served diverse populations. Both survey and focus groups were used to determine community partner, student, and faculty perceptions of community engagement learning experiences over the five semesters. Implications of evaluation data were used to revise both the structure and process of community engagement strategies. Revisions included strengthening orientation strategies; offering additional support for students in establishing relationships in their community organization; providing guidelines for communication between students, faculty, and community partners; and creating a plan for faculty oversight of student experiences.

Cross-cultural efficacy of the Cool Kids programme for child and adolescent anxiety

ABSTRACT FROM: Arendt K, Thastum M, Hougaard E. Efficacy of a Danish version of the Cool Kids program: a randomized wait-list controlled trial. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2015. Published Online First....

Cross-Cultural Psychological Capital: A Validation Study

In light of increasing workplace diversification, today’s organizations are in need of employees who can work effectively within cross-cultural settings. The present study seeks to validate a newly developed measure of cross-cultural psychological capital (PsyCap). This measure captures a developable higher-order construct consisting of four components: self-efficacy, hope, optimism, and resilience with regards to cross-cultural interactions. In study 1, a diverse sample of 140 participants was recruited to test the hypothesized higher-order factor structure of the newly developed cross-cultural PsyCap scale. Findings of confirmatory factor analysis indicate that the reduced 20-item measure was a good fit to the hypothesized theoretical model with items first loading on lower-order constructs of cross-cultural efficacy, hope, optimism, and resilience and then loading on the higher-order factor of cross-cultural PsyCap. This hypothesized model demonstrated better fit than a comparison model with all items loading on to one factor. In study 2, an additional 100 participants are currently being recruited to assess the construct validity of cross-cultural PsyCap in relation to cultural intelligence, intercultural competence, personality, and ethnocentrism. Finally, to assess predictive validity, it is expected that higher levels of cross-cultural PsyCap will relate to enhanced cross-cultural adjustment and performance. This measure of cross-cultural PsyCap has important implications for both the selection and training of employees who work internationally or within a diverse workplace.

Cross-cultural efficacy of American low-impact programs: A comparison between Garhwal guide beliefs on environmental behavior and American outdoor travel norms

In America, recreationists on public lands are expected to follow behavioral norms codified through low-impact programs. Such programs have been exported to countries all over the world with little or no critical thought about their efficacy in other cultural contexts. The present study examined the normative assumptions of the Leave No Trace program in the context of adventure tourism guides in the Garhwal Himalaya of India to determine the efficacy of implementing such programs in a different cultural context. We identified what salient beliefs prompt whitewater rafting and trekking guides' intention to perform pro-environmental behavior. We then compared the results with the belief system used for the basis of Leave No Trace. Results revealed that an American appeal to personal responsibility in Garhwal may not succeed for a variety of reasons. This study helps lay a foundation for much needed research on pro-environmental behavior and improved resource management techniques in the Indian Himalaya.

A web-based Alcohol Clinical Training (ACT) curriculum: is in-person faculty development necessary to affect teaching?

BackgroundPhysicians receive little education about unhealthy alcohol use and as a result patients often do not receive efficacious interventions. The objective of this study is to evaluate whether a free web-based alcohol curriculum would be used by physician educators and whether in-person faculty development would increase its use, confidence in teaching and teaching itself.MethodsSubjects were physician educators who applied to attend a workshop on the use of a web-based curriculum about alcohol screening and brief intervention and cross-cultural efficacy. All physicians were provided the curriculum web address. Intervention subjects attended a 3-hour workshop including demonstration of the website, modeling of teaching, and development of a plan for using the curriculum. All subjects completed a survey prior to and 3 months after the workshop.ResultsOf 20 intervention and 13 control subjects, 19 (95%) and 10 (77%), respectively, completed follow-up. Compared to controls, intervention subjects had greater increases in confidence in teaching alcohol screening, and in the frequency of two teaching practices – teaching about screening and eliciting patient health beliefs. Teaching confidence and teaching practices improved significantly in 9 of 10 comparisons for intervention, and in 0 comparisons for control subjects. At follow-up 79% of intervention but only 50% of control subjects reported using any part of the curriculum (p = 0.20).ConclusionIn-person training for physician educators on the use of a web-based alcohol curriculum can increase teaching confidence and practices. Although the web is frequently used for disemination, in-person training may be preferable to effect widespread teaching of clinical skills like alcohol screening and brief intervention.

Explaining Substance Use among Puerto Rican Adolescents: A Partial Test of Social Learning Theory

This study examines the cross-cultural efficacy of social learning theory as it relates to substance use among Puerto Rican adolescents. Using data from a self-report survey of high school students attending private and public schools in San Juan, Puerto Rico, we compare the relative effects of personal and peer definitions (differential association) on substance use. Results indicate that statistical differences exist between public and private school respondents on all three outcomes (cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use) and the two aspects of social learning theory, definitions and differential association. After controlling for demographic factors, peer definitions are shown to have the greatest effect on likelihood of substance use. Students who perceive greater peer approval of substance use are far more likely to report lifetime cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use regardless of their own personal definitions of such behavior. Sex differences are also discussed.

Dissemination and adoption of social skills training: Social validation of an evidence-based treatment for the mentally disabled

Background: The UCLA modules for training social and independent living skills (SILS) were developed to teach persons with severe mental illness skills for disease management, affiliative relationships, and instrumental role functioning. Eight modules have been produced and evaluated in controlled studies.Aims: To review the adoption of the modules by practitioners, and identify procedures for dissemination.Method: Practitioner and program experiences with the modules were inventoried to identify factors associated with adoption and utility. Secondary dissemination was evaluated in agencies that disseminated the modules beyond their own patients by training other professionals. Determination was made of cultural adaptation of modules for use in various countries.Results: The SILS modules have been widely implemented throughout the US, translated into 23 languages, and implemented in more than 30 countries. International studies document their crosscultural efficacy, effectiveness, and utility. Factors associated with successful adoption included the modules' user-friendliness, preparation and interpersonal strategies with the adopting agencies, and follow-up consultation.Conclusion: International adoption and empirical evaluation of the SILS modules have established their external, social, and professional validity. Widespread utilization of the modules was facilitated by their utility in meeting the functional needs of patients participating in a range of existing clinical programs.

Development of shared understanding between the Chief Information officer and top management team in U.S. and French Organizations: a cross-cultural comparison

The gap in understanding between the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and the top management team (TMT) has often been cited as a cause of a troubled CIO/TMT relationship. Recent research has proposed the development of a shared understanding about the role of information systems (IS) in the organization as a key endeavor in bridging the "gap in understanding" between CIOs and TMT members. The authors propose a variety of knowledge exchange mechanisms, as well as relational similarity as key mechanisms for the development of this shared understanding. This study examines the cross-cultural efficacy of such mechanisms. Specifically, the study compares the development of this shared understanding between ClOs and the TMT in U.S. and French organizations. The research model is empirically tested using structural equation modeling via a field survey with two data samples: 1) 163 U.S. CIOs and 2) 44 French ClOs. The results show both similarities and differences in these mechanisms. Specifically, in both samples, CIO educational mechanisms impact the development of a shared understanding. However, while in the French sample social systems of knowing are key mechanisms, in the U.S. sample structural systems of knowing and relational similarity are key mechanisms of achieving a shared understanding between the CIO and TMT.