THE MEDIATING ROLE OF SOCIAL SUPPORT IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL CAPITAL AND SOCIOCULTURAL ADAPTATION AMONG CHINESE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AT MALAYSIAN UNIVERSITY

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship and mechanisms influencing the positive psychological capital, social support and sociocultural adaptation of Chinese international students pursuing higher education in Malaysian universities. Through quantitative research methods, the mechanisms that facilitate or hinder the successful sociocultural adaptation of Chinese international students to a new sociocultural environment are revealed. Given the increasing popularity of cross-border international student mobility, this study is highly relevant and provides important insights into the potential opportunities and challenges posed by such mobility. The findings suggest a significant positive relationship between psychological resources (positive psychological capital) and sociocultural adaptation among Chinese overseas students. Meanwhile, social support played a partial mediating role, facilitating the transformation of internal strengths (psychological capital) to external outcomes (sociocultural adaptation). The findings of this study have important implications for university assistance programmes that aim to improve the success and well-being of Chinese overseas students by enhancing psychological resources. Furthermore, this investigation contributes fresh insights to the wider discourse on intercultural education, clarifying how psychological elements impact international student adjustment within such contexts. It serves as a foundation for crafting more impactful interventions targeted at mitigating acculturative stress encountered by international students during their overseas academic pursuits.