| Little information exists on the emotional health and well-being of expatriate spouses in the international setting. This study identifies how social support and involvement in international communities affects psychological well-being. Additionally, the study provides preliminary findings for a new measure of social engagement. 102 expatriate spouses living in Hong Kong responded to web-based questionnaires about their psychological well-being, social engagement, and social support. Social engagement reflected the degree to which expatriate spouses participated in four domains of expatriate community, host community, child's school, and spouse's work. Participants also completed measures of psychological well-being (C. D. Ryff, 1989), satisfaction with life (W. Pavot & E. Diener, 1993), and social support (C. E. Cutrona & D. W. Russell, 1987). The study accounted for personality characteristics (G. Saucier, 1994), perceived choice and control in the move (N. A. Smider, M. J. Essex, & C. D. Ryff, 1996), and degree to which Hong Kong differs from the culture of origin (I. Torbiorn, 1982). An adapted short-version of the Perceived Stress Scale (S. Cohen, T. Kamarck, & R. Mermelstein, 1983) measured the perception of stress from SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).; Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that social support mediates the relationship between personality characteristics and psychological well-being. In turn, psychological well-being mediated the relationship between social support and intentions to complete the international assignment. Psychological well-being also mediated the relationship between the voluntary nature of the move and intentions. Social engagement did not affect psychological well-being, although the school community emerged as a vital aspect of participation in expatriate and host communities. As with other studies on Hong Kong (J. Selmer, 2001), no relationship was found between cultural novelty and psychological well-being or social support. In addition, personality characteristics did not affect intentions to stay. Findings highlight the importance of psychological well-being of expatriate spouses in the international setting and suggest that perceptions of engagement may have a stronger influence on psychological well-being and life satisfaction than actual engagement. |
