Acculturation Strategies, Social Support, and Cross-Cultural Adaptation among Mainland Chinese University Students in Hong Kong

The present study aimed at examining the relationships among acculturation strategies, social support, and cross-cultural adaptation of Mainland Chinese university students in Hong Kong. Specifically, it was hypothesized that social support would enhance the positive effect of integration strategy and buffer the negative effect of marginalization strategy on cross-cultural adaptation. A total of 188 Mainland Chinese studying at universities in Hong Kong completed scales measuring (a) integration and marginalization strategies, (b) social support from family, local friends, and non-local friends, and (c) sociocultural and psychological adaptation. Results indicated that sociocultural adaptation was predicted by integration strategy and family support, whereas psychological adaptation was predicted by integration and marginalization strategies, and social support from family and local friends. Concerning the moderating effects of social support, local friends support was found to strength the positive effect of integration strategy and weaken the negative effect of marginalization strategy on sociocultural and psychological adaptation. Contrary to the prediction, it was revealed that support from non-local friends impaired the contribution of integration strategy to psychological adaptation.