Intercultural Adjustment in High Context Communication: The Mediating Role of Intercultural Willingness to Communicate on AUM Theory

Abstract

Underpinned by anxiety/uncertainty management (AUM) theory, this study uses Baron and Kenny's (1986) framework to test the prediction that intercultural willingness to communicate (IWTC) mediated the relationship between anxiety and uncertainty among international students at University Putra Malaysia. The previous study displayed a significant relationship between anxiety, uncertainty, and intercultural adjustment while moderated by mindfulness. As a high-context culture in communication, Malaysia specialized in interpersonal and intergroup communication among ethnic and races. While intercultural willingness to communicate plays a crucial role in intercultural communication. Results through Multi-linear regression (SPSS) to investigate a possible method for testing mediation effects of intercultural willingness to communicate (IWTC) on the relationship between anxiety and uncertainty. Employed surveys were used to collect data to test hypotheses predicting intercultural adaptation. A total of 201 international students which includes undergraduates and post-graduate students at the University Putra Malaysia participated in the survey. This study revealed that anxiety and uncertainty have a direct negative influence on intercultural willingness to communicate and an indirect negative influence on intercultural adjustment. Especially, this study was conducted under the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Superficial Causes of AUM Theory Affect Uncertainty and Anxiety among Students in a High-Context Culture

“…Similarly, the correlation between higher levels of social categorization with hosts and anxiety management indicates that when students feel socially connected to the hosts, they are more capable of regulating their anxiety in intercultural encounters. Social categorization can foster a sense of belonging and reduce the perceived social distance between individuals, leading to increased comfort and reduced anxiety in social interactions (Huiwen et al, 2022).…”

“…Some individuals, however, exhibit higher cognitive abilities to deal with uncertain situations (Choi & Hogg, 2020). High-ability people understand the similarities and differences between their group and stranger groups more deeply and reduce the uncertainty of social classification, to avoid exaggerating the differences between social groups, which is conducive to maintaining interest and clarity in information degrees (Huiwen et al, 2022). According to Gudykunst, social categories were positively correlated to uncertainty and anxiety management.…”

“…As we step into the 21st century, it's imperative to have multiple communication theories that represent diverse human experiences instead of being dominated by one nation's ideology (Huiwen et al, 2022). This new era is marked by multiculturalism and multilingualism, making it more crucial for communication researchers to create theoretical paradigms that can resonate with this diversity.…”

“…Other researchers utilize the Contact Theory of Allport (1954) to explain international students' language, intercultural communication, and intercultural sensitivity (Curtis & Reid, 2019). However, Uncertainty Reduction Theory focuses primarily on reducing uncertainty during initial interactions between strangers (Gudykunst, 2005), while AUM explores a broader range of communication contexts and emphasizes the management of uncertainty and anxiety using various coping strategies levels (Huiwen et al, 2022). Besides, the Contact Theory of Allport addresses reducing prejudice and improving intergroup relations through direct contact, emphasizing changing attitudes and behaviors through positive interactions (Allport, 1954).…”

Management of Cross-cultural Communication Barriers for Indonesian Migrant Workers in South Korea

“…In South Korea, language is the main obstacle due to the large amount of vocabulary that is difficult to understand and the lack of interaction with local residents (Fathullah, Arianto, & Farid, 2023). In addition, different cultural foundations are a driving factor as well as an obstacle to the accommodation of cross-cultural communication (Avruch, 2019;Huiwen, Hashim, Sern, & Bidin, 2022).The consequences arising from differences in cultural backgrounds are stiffness in interaction and communication which allows anxiety and uncertainty to arise with the potential for obstacles in relationships.…”