Cultural intelligence, acculturation, adaptation and emotional displays of other-condemning emotions and self-conscious emotions among Chinese international students in the UK

Abstract

Are emotional display rules – cultural norms regarding how to express emotions in culturally and socially proper ways – influenced by individuals’ acculturating experiences? The current study investigated the impact of cultural intelligence and acculturation variables (e.g., mainstream and heritage cultural identification, sociocultural adaptation, acculturative stress) on displays of other-condemning emotions (anger, disgust and contempt) and self-conscious emotions (shame and guilt) among Chinese international students in the UK (N = 161). The results indicated that there were indirect effects of cultural intelligence on emotional display rules through cultural identification and cultural adaptation. This research extends our current knowledge about the mechanisms that may influence emotional display rules and offers some practical guidance for acculturating individuals.