An Exploration of Factors Influencing Interpersonal Relationships During Cross-Cultural Adaptation

A Questionnaire Survey of Chinese Residents in Japan

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate factors influencing interpersonal relationships during cross-cultural adaptation by conducting a questionnaire survey of 162 Chinese residents in Japan. Factor analysis identified three dimensions associated with interpersonal relationships: “private relationships”, “attitudes toward Japanese people”, and “public relationships”. Path analysis indicated that Japanese language proficiency, frequency of contact with Japanese people, and social support had positive effects on adaptation in private relationships, while the length of stay in Japan had a positive effect on adaptation in public relationships. However, attitudes toward Japanese people and adaptation in public relationships were negatively impacted by experiences of discrimination. Furthermore, social skills, specifically “extroverted communication skills,” were found to have positive effects on all three dimensions of interpersonal relationships in cross-cultural adaptation.