Cross-Cultural Identity and Online Social Support Are More Effective Predictors of Cross-Cultural Adaptation Among International Students in China
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53797/anp.jssh.v6i1.10.2025Keywords:
Cross-cultural identity, online social support serves, cross-cultural adaptationAbstract
The internationalization of higher education is rapidly growing worldwide, with China emerging as the top destination for studying abroad in Asia. The growing global interest in Chinese medicine has made it essential for China to educate foreign students in this field as part of its internationalization efforts in education. Since the 1950s, when Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) universities first began admitting international students, there has been a notable rise in those specializing in TCM, underscoring the need for effective educational strategies. Despite these advancements, challenges persist, particularly in the area of cross-cultural adaptation. As international student enrollment rises at JXUCM, addressing the challenges they face in adapting to different cultures is essential. This study examines the cross-cultural adjustment of international students at JXUCM, employing cross-cultural adjustment theory as its foundational framework. It highlights the roles of online social support and cross-cultural identity factors in their adjustment process. Quantitative data were collected from 421 international students at JXUCM through random sampling. The findings from multiple regression analysis reveal that both online social support (including information, emotional, instrumental, and companionship support) and cross-cultural identity (comprising language, cultural, ethnic identity, and value recognition) positively influence cross-cultural adaptation. Notably, cross-cultural identity emerges as a more significant predictor of adaptation than online social support, emphasizing its crucial role for international students.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Liu Zhu, Ridzuan Hussin, Muhamad Firdaus Ramli
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