Acculturation and health of international students in China: How cultural values and personality traits influence their attitudes and experience

This study investigated the political, economic, social, and cultural environment perceptions on international students that define their acculturation and health related quality of life. Participants were 117 international students from 32 countries attending a Chinese university (females = 43%, mean age = 21.17 years, SD = 4.45 years). They reported on their acculturation to China and physical and psychological well-being. Results from t-tests and correlation analyses indicate political liberals had more positive attitudes toward China than the conservatives, and higher self-reported physical and psychological results. Higher scores on the “interdependence” dimension of self-construal, as well as the “extraversion” and “emotional stability” dimensions of personality traits, were associated with more positive views of China and better health outcomes. These findings are consistent with Berry’s framework for acculturation, which posits that individual-level variables are related to cultural adaptation, and that cultural adaptation is associated with improved physical and mental health. International student offices at host universities should implement comprehensive support programs, including language assistance, cultural orientation, and social integration initiatives to effectively enhance the health related quality of life of international students.