What Helps International Students Disclose Themselves and Be Assertive to Host Nationals for Their Cultural Adjustment?: Focusing on Language Ability and Length of Stay

抄録

Previous studies suggest that international students’ self-disclosure and assertiveness to host nationals play significant roles in their cultural adjustment. However, what specific factor helps them disclose themselves and be assertive has not been fully researched. Using culture learning theory, this study hypothesized that ability in the host country’s language (i.e., Japanese) and length of stay in a host country (i.e., Japan) are associated with these two forms of communication. Results indicated that language ability and length of stay were positively associated with levels of self-disclosure. A structural equation model further showed that length of stay was indirectly linked to levels of self-disclosure through Japanese fluency. Surprisingly, international students who stayed for a longer period in Japan with higher levels of Japanese were not more assertive than those who stayed for a shorter period with lower levels of Japanese. This study also investigated differences in the association among those variables between Asian international students and Western international students. These findings suggest that those who try to adjust to a new culture should be aware that what is considered an appropriate communication style varies depending on the host culture.