Well-being in cross-cultural transitions: discrepancies between acculturation preferences and actual intergroup and intragroup contact

Abstract

Two studies examined the effect of acculturation-contact discrepancies on well-being. Specifically, we tested the prediction that well-being will be compromised when cultural minorities' acculturation preferences are not met by the intergroup and intragroup contact in a new society. Study 1 found that for Polish immigrants (n=55) acculturation-contact discrepancies were associated with compromised well-being. Study 2 followed a cohort of international students (n=106) for a period of two academic years. Results suggested that discrepancies in students' acculturation-contact in their first year had harmful consequences for their well-being 1 year later. Overall, the two studies show that discrepancies between acculturation preferences and actual contact have negative implications for the psychological adaptation of acculturating individuals.