Acculturation and psychological adjustment : success in a new cultural context

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to provide some organisation of the vast acculturation research.

We explain the acculturation process, and examine key variables (acculturation strategies,

social connectedness, personality and demographic factors) that predict the psychological

adjustment of migrants in their new cultural context. In this literature review, our main

findings are that integration, social connectedness to host and ethnic communities, and low

neuroticism are strongly correlated with positive psychological adjustment. We hope that this

paper will be informational to potential migrants, especially our fellow Singaporeans, in

helping them achieve success abroad. We also hope that this paper provides future directions

towards the advancement of this field.