How host country nationals' acculturate towards migrants
Researchers:
- Katharina Lefringhausen
- Tara Marshall (Brunel University)
Research focus:
Across two studies we tested whether host country nationals (e.g., British Nationals) can themselves simultaneously maintain their national culture and adopt aspects of migrants’ cultures in their own home country. Moreover, we tested how each orientation – cultural maintenance and migrants’ cultures adaptation – relates to host country nationals’ well-being and intercultural sensitivity.
Methodology:
Quantitative data was collected from an US-American sample (N = 218, Study 1) and from three continent groups (North America, Europe, and Asia; N = 619, Study 2). Hierarchical regression analysis in SPSS, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling with multiple group analysis were conducted in AMOS.
Key findings:
- Host country nationals have the option – just like migrants do – to integrate by adopting aspects of migrants’ cultures whilst maintaining their national culture.
- Host country nationals who maintain their national culture were more likely to have higher levels in well-being.
- Host country nationals who adopted aspects of migrants’ cultures were less likely to experience stress induced by cultural misunderstandings and were more likely to have high levels in intercultural sensitivity.
To find out more:
Lefringhausen, K., & T. C. Marshall, (2016). Locals' bidimensional acculturation model: validation and associations with psychological and sociocultural adjustment outcomes Cross-Cultural Research, 50(4), 356-392