The Correlation Between Cross-cultural Adaption And Social Support Among Chinese Interns

Since the programme-Summer Work&Travel USA, was first introduced into China in2006, the number of interns is increasing every year. Being characterized by a short period, cross-cultural adaptation among interns deserves attention. The purpose of the study is to describe cross-cultural adaptation and social support, as well as to analyse the relationship between them. This essay will examine whether the social support can produce prediction for cross-cultural adaptation. The subjects are interns in the SWT, and the methods include both quantitative research and qualitative research. In the quantitative research, the instruments include Psychological Adaption Scale, Sociocultural Adaptation Scale and Social Support Rating Scale. In the qualitative research, semi-structure interview is used. The SPSS18.0and NViov8.0are implemented to do data analysis.The results of quantitative research:1. The score of psychological adaption scale is (41.27±4.74), which is above average level. The difference is statistically significant between different genders and English levels. Male interns and those who have CET-6certificate are more likely to get better psychological adaption.2. The score of sociocultural adaptation scale is (61.00±6.70), which is above average level. The difference is statistically significant between different English levels. Interns who have CET-6certificate are more likely to get better sociocultural adaption.3. The score of social support is (36.45±5.09), and social support mainly comes from family members, friends, relatives, colleagues and lovers. The difference is statistically significant among different genders and English levels. Female interns and those who have CET-6certificate have more social support.4. We use the linear correlation analysis to describe the relationship between psychological adaption, social cultural adaptation and social support. The results show that cross-cultural adaptation, total social support, objective support and subjective support are positively correlated. 5. The independent variable is social support, and psychological adaption and social cultural adaption are taken as dependent variables respectively. Stepwise regression analysis is used; the social support enters the two models. In psychological adaption model,14.7%of the variance can be explained by social support. And in sociocultural adaption model,8.7%of the variance can be explained by social support.The results of qualitative research:1. When they stay in America, the common problems in life to interns are "difficult to adapt to the local diet" and "feel lonely after work".2. Due to cultural differences, interns have certain difficulties in adapting to American life. All of the participants emphasize the importance of English. Along with the extension of time, interns are competent to their jobs.3. Social support mostly comes from colleagues and family members.Conclusion:Cross-cultural adaptation and social support are positively correlated. Interns are more likely to get cross-cultural adaptation with more social support, and cross-cultural adaptation can be predicted by social support.