Leveraging Computer Mediated Communication for Social Support in Immigrants’ Intercultural Adaptation

Wenli CHEN, Alfred CHOI Siu Kay

Abstract


This study examines the relationship between online social support and intercultural adaptation of immigrants. Data was collected from a telephone survey conducted among Chinese immigrants in Singapore. The results of the data analysis reveal that online support has positive effect on both socio-cultural and psychological adaptation of the immigrants. Among the individual types of support, informational support demonstrates a prominent effect on the immigrants. This study suggests that online support is an efficient and valuable supplement to traditional social support for immigrants, especially when they are in the transition period and lack real life social network.
Key words: Social support; Online social support; Intercultural adaptation

Résumé
Cette étude examine la relation entre le soutien social en ligne et l'adaptation interculturelle des immigrants. Les données ont été recueillies à partir d'un sondage téléphonique mené auprès des immigrants chinois à Singapour. Les résultats de l'analyse des données révèle que le soutien en ligne a un effet positif tant sur l'adaptation socio-culturelle et psychologique des immigrants. Parmi les différents types de soutien, un soutien informationnel démontre un effet important sur les immigrants. Cette étude suggère que le soutien en ligne est un complément efficace et précieux à l'appui social traditionnel pour les immigrants, surtout quand ils sont dans la période de transition et le manque de réseau de la vie sociale réelle.
Mots-clés: Soutien social; Le soutien social en ligne; L'adaptation interculturelle

Keywords


Social support; Online social support; Intercultural adaptation;Soutien social; Le soutien social en ligne; L'adaptation interculturelle



DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3968/j.ccc.1923670020110703.285

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Copyright (c) 2011 Wenli CHEN, Alfred CHOI Siu Kay

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