Mapping psychological adjustment in third culture kids: the relative contributions of emotion regulation, cognition, resilience and stress

Purpose - This cross-sectional investigation explores the relative importance of specific psychological factors influencing adjustment in a sample of internationally mobile children and adolescents, commonly referred to as third culture kids (TCKs), living in Switzerland. Design/methodology/approach - The study cohort comprised 126 participants aged 7–17 years, all of whom had experienced international relocations due to their parents' professional commitments. Participants were recruited from local and international schools in Switzerland, and data were collected through validated online questionnaires after obtaining informed consent. The study focused on proximal psychological factors, including emotion regulation strategies (such as cognitive reappraisal and emotion suppression), negative social cognition, resilience and perceived stress, assessing their impact on psychological adjustment. Outcomes were measured through indicators of well-being and mental health, including emotional and behavioral symptoms. Findings - Commonality analysis was used to evaluate the relative contributions of each psychological factor to well-being and mental health in the sample. Perceived stress emerged as the most significant contributor to well-being, while resilience played a crucial buffering role against mental-health difficulties. These findings are consistent with Berry’s Acculturative Stress Model, which highlights the importance of managing stress in the context of cultural transitions. Additionally, the presence of well-established expatriate support networks in Switzerland may have mitigated the negative effects of stress, suggesting that similar patterns may not hold in less resource-rich environments. Research limitations/implications - The study offers important insights into the challenges faced by TCKs during international relocations, underscoring the need for further cross-cultural research. It remains essential to examine whether emotion regulation strategies such as cognitive reappraisal and resilience mechanisms function similarly in different cultural and socioeconomic contexts. Practical implications - The findings also suggest the potential benefits of tailored psychotherapeutic interventions aimed at enhancing the well-being and adaptive capacity of TCKs. Originality/value - Overall, this research contributes valuable knowledge to the understanding of the psychological mechanisms that can inform strategies for supporting TCKs as they navigate the complexities of global mobility.