| The purpose of the present study is to examine the intercultural adaptation experience of American expatriates in Singapore using an integrated theory-based research design. The secondary objective is to understand Singapore society and people as the host nationals for the sojourning experience of U.S. expatriates. No previous study has been conducted on the cross-cultural adaptation experiences of U.S. expatriates in Singapore using Y. Y. Kim's model of cross-cultural adaptation. Most studies of intercultural adaptation were limited to exploratory and description objectives rather than being theory-based.; A total of 25 participants in Singapore, 20 U.S. expatriates in Singapore and 5 Singaporeans were interviewed. Analysis of qualitative data revealed support of Kim's theory for the cross-cultural adaptation experiences of U.S. expatriates in the following interrelationships: (1) between host communication competence and host interpersonal and mass communication, (2) between host interpersonal and mass communication and ethnic interpersonal and mass communication, (3) between host interpersonal and mass communication and ethnic group strength, (4) between ethnic interpersonal and mass communication and ethnic group strength, (5) between ethnic proximity and host interpersonal and mass communication, (6) between ethnic proximity and host communication competence, and (7) between adaptive personality and host communication competence.; Positive interrelationships were evident: (1) between host communication competence and host interpersonal and mass communication, (2) between adaptive personality and host communication competence and host interpersonal communication, (3) between ethnic proximity and host communication competence, (4) between host receptivity and conformity pressure and functional fitness and psychological health, and (5) between ethnic strength/ethnic interpersonal communication and functional fitness and psychological health.; Negative interrelationships were evident: between (1) host interpersonal and mass communication and ethnic interpersonal communication, (2) ethnic proximity and host interpersonal communication.; Support of Kim's model indicates cross-cultural adaptation occurs as an interactive and reciprocal process among host communication competence, host interpersonal and mass communication, ethnic interpersonal communication, ethnic proximity and adaptive personality. |
