Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine relationships between cross-cultural adjustment and stress of expatriate employees with families in a multinational corporation and identify common stressors reported during international transitions. Design/methodology/approach – This study utilized both quantitative and qualitative methods through an online survey based tool. The CernySmith Assessment captured the statistical measures of objective adjustment scales along with written in, subjective stressor responses from a sample of expatriates. Findings – Overall subjective stress level was negatively correlated with all five objective adjustment domains (organizational, cultural, relational, behavioral, and personal). Seven stressor categories (cultural, occupational, relational, historical, crisis, spiritual, physical) demonstrated statistically significant negative relationships with overall adjustment. Regression analysis indicated expatriate adjustment was predicted by spiritual, occupational, and support stressors. Write-in stressor responses provided specific expressions of individual stress challenges, strains, and hassles that support predicted relations according to the Family Adaptation and Adjustment Response model. Research limitations/implications – This study provides a snapshot of objective adjustment interacting with subjective stress for expatriate employees from a single international organization during a specific time period. Originality/value – These findings provide insights to organizations and human resource development professionals as well as to expatriates and their families on how stress impacts expatriate adjustment. It also highlights the need for support mechanisms to ease transitions and reduce stressors.

This study reports a statistical modification of a psychometric expatriate adjustment survey (e.g., the CernySmith Assessment or CSA) applied to expatriate missionary and humanitarian workers and their families. Earlier CSA survey items assisted in a need for rapid response clinical assessment originating from clinical observations, literature with a factor analysis resulting in 20 subscales and 5 qualitative content domains (Organizational, Cultural, Relational, Behavioral, and Personal). However, the assessment required more robust scale and factor analysis development to assure replicability. The present study analyzed 1,133 respondents working in 130 host countries. After various factor analytical iterations, a final CSA psychometric scale of 5 factors and 15 subscales (and a final 3 factor solution) emerged that compares with other known expatriate employee and spousal adjustment scales (Bhaskar-Shrinivas, Harrison, Shaffer, & Luk, 2005; Black, Mendenhall, & Oddou, 1991; Brown, 2008). This improved adjustment assessment answers Hippler, Caligiuri, and Johnson's (2014) call for robust expatriate adjustment assessments. The CSA moves adjustment measurement forward with new domains of resilience (Well-Being, Past Stresses, and Focus) and personal foundation (Spirituality, Health, and Habits). In light of 20–40% rate of preventable missionary attrition, the CSA should contribute to research, practice, and organizational support.

The problem of whether Christian faith increases or decreases thanataphobia (fear of death or anxiety regarding it) was investigated. A field survey of 248 undergraduate college students from four colleges in Orange County, California using the Boyar Fear of Death Scale demonstrated significantly less fear of death in the Christian group as compared to a non-Christian group. A Christian was defined as a person who knew he had been “born again” by God's Spirit and would thus have a living relationship with Jesus Christ. Over half of the non-Christian group considered themselves to be Christians but didn't know they were “born again” Christians. While past research showed a contradictory picture as to the effect of religious faith, a major contribution of this study is that generalized religious faith is reduced to more specifically Christian faith emphasizing the spiritual rebirth and resulting divine relationship spoken of by Jesus in John 3:3, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

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