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Association between Cross-Cultural Social Adaptation and Overseas Life Satisfaction among Chinese Medical Aid Team Members (CMATMs) in Africa

Author

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  • Xiaochang Chen

    (School of Humanities and Management, Guangdong Medical University, 1# Xincheng Road, Dongguan 523808, China
    Institute of Health Law and Policy, Guangdong Medical University, 1# Xincheng Road, Dongguan 523808, China
    School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, 115# Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Xiaojun Liu

    (School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, 115# Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, China
    Global Health Institute, Wuhan University, 115# Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Wei Yu

    (School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, 115# Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, China)

  • Anran Tan

    (School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, 115# Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, China)

  • Chang Fu

    (Global Health Institute, Wuhan University, 115# Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, China)

  • Zongfu Mao

    (School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, 115# Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, China
    Global Health Institute, Wuhan University, 115# Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, China)

Abstract

This study evaluated the relationship between cross-cultural social adaptation and overseas life satisfaction among Chinese medical aid team members (CMATMs) in Africa. A revised Chinese version of the Sociocultural Adaptation Scale (CSCAS) was used to measure participants’ cross-cultural social adaptation. The self-designed survey of the CMATMs’ overseas life satisfaction includes the following five aspects: food, housing, transportation, entertainment, and security. Electronic questionnaires were distributed non-randomly. Linear regression models were established to explore the association between cross-cultural social adaptation and all dimensions of overseas life satisfaction. After adjusting all the confounders, compared with moderate adaptation, poor adaptation was negatively correlated with all dimensions of overseas life satisfaction (B for food = −0.71, B for housing = −0.76, B for transportation = −0.70, B for entertainment = −0.53, B for security = −0.81, B for overall satisfaction = −0.71, all p < 0.001), whereas good adaptation was positively associated with all dimensions of overseas life satisfaction (B for food = 1.23, B for housing = 1.00, B for transportation = 0.84, B for entertainment = 0.84, B for security = 0.76, B for overall life satisfaction = 0.94, all p < 0.001). This study shows that a better cross-cultural social adaptation was positively connected to a higher level of overseas life satisfaction in general, and more specifically to higher levels of satisfaction with food, housing, transportation, entertainment, and security. This knowledge can be utilized in promoting cross-cultural social adaptation and overseas life satisfaction among CMATMs in Africa.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaochang Chen & Xiaojun Liu & Wei Yu & Anran Tan & Chang Fu & Zongfu Mao, 2019. "Association between Cross-Cultural Social Adaptation and Overseas Life Satisfaction among Chinese Medical Aid Team Members (CMATMs) in Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-11, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:9:p:1572-:d:228465
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xiaochang Chen & Xiaojun Liu & Zongfu Mao, 2019. "Socio-Cultural Adaptation and Its Related Factors for Chinese Medical Aid Team Members (CMATMs) in Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-14, August.

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