Interplay of Acculturative stress, bicultural self efficacy & social appearance anxiety: A mixed method study among different university students different

Abstract

This study employs a mixed-methods approach to examine the acculturation experiences of Indian international students studying abroad, Indian students studying within India, and Indian students studying in different states within India. The study used an exploratory sequential mixed-method technique, which involves conducting qualitative interviews and then analysing the data quantitatively. During the qualitative phase, thematic analysis is performed on interviews conducted with 13 Indian foreign students and 10 international students studying in Indian universities. The aim is to investigate themes related to cultural adjustment, coping techniques, and support systems. During the quantitative phase, a group of 210 students, including international students studying in Indian colleges, Indian students studying abroad, and students from different states, are given standardized measures: Acculturative Stress Scale for International students (ASSIS), Bicultural self-efficacy scale (BSES), and Social Appearance Anxiety (SAAS). The study's results shows that the significant correlation between the Acculturative stress, bicultural self-efficacy, and social appearance anxiety among three groups of students. The study also found that bicultural self-efficacy and social appearance anxiety are the predictors of acculturative stress. Policymakers and university administrators might employ these observations to build specific policies and initiatives. Furthermore, it is emphasized that encouraging cross-cultural understanding and adaptability among students and educators is crucial for creating inclusive and supportive learning environments. This study enhances our comprehension of acculturation processes and emphasizes the significance of bicultural self-efficacy in addressing cultural differences in educational settings. The study's findings pertain to improving student assistance and fostering favorable outcomes in multicultural educational environments.