Intercultural Friendships with International Students in China: Examining the Role of Intergroup Contact, Intercultural Communication Competence, Host Country Nationals’ Attitudes, and Perceived Intergroup Threats
Year: 2023
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: International students studying and living in a foreign context often complain about difficulties establishing friendships with host nationals. This study investigates host country nationals' (HCNs) willingness to develop intercultural friendships with international students who are sojourning in China by exploring the effects of face-to-face and online intergroup contact, HCNs' attitudes, intercultural communication competence (ICC), and perceived intergroup threats. Survey data from 469 HCNs indicate that (a) face-to-face and online contact are indirectly and positively related to their willingness to form intercultural friendships, (b) face-to-face contact can moderate the relationships of online contact with HCNs' intergroup attitudes and perceived intergroup threats, and (c) both ICC and intergroup attitudes can positively predict friendship formation whereas perceived intergroup threats act as a negative predictor. The implications of our findings for future research and practice are presented.
Source: Behavioral Sciences
DOI: 10.3390/bs13100855
Authors: Lingjie Tang, Chang’an Zhang
Institution: Xi'an Jiaotong University
Language: English
Subfield: Communication
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,002
OpenAlex ID: W4387737802