Polish Honor and Norwegian Dignity: Life Satisfaction, Acculturation, and Self-Worth

Abstract

Locus of self-worth shifts from internal in cultures of dignity to external in cultures of honor. It remains yet unknown whether it can be modified, for example, under an influence of important life events, as migration to a culture of a distinct logic. Our study aimed to analyse relationships between the locus of self-worth and the acculturation strategies on life satisfaction. We collected data from 60 heterosexual Polish couples living in Poland, 120 Polish migrant couples in Norway, and 60 Norwegian couples living in Norway. Groups differed from each other in life satisfaction and in locus of self-worth, with Norwegians valuating the self the most internally and Poles in Poland the most externally. Our results on locus of self-worth show that Polish culture fits in the classification of culture of honor, while Norwegians represent culture of dignity. Moreover, a series of hierarchical linear regressions demonstrated that both locus of self-worth and acculturation strategy are significant predictors of participants’ life satisfaction, with a moderating role of migrants’ attachment to Polish culture and adaptation to Norwegian society.

Perceptions of Emotional Functionality: Similarities and Differences Among Dignity, Face, and Honor Cultures

“…At the national level, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other North-Western European countries have been identified as dignity cultures (Aslani et al, 2016; Harinck et al, 2013; Kim et al, 2010; Krys et al, 2017; Leung & Cohen, 2011; Maitner et al, 2017; Smith et al, 2017; Świdrak et al, 2019; Vandello & Cohen, 2003; Yao et al, 2017). According to Leung and Cohen (2011), dignity cultures emerge in systems where people operate as autonomous, independent individuals guided by strong systems and institutions.…”

“…Finally, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, India, Israel, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Spain, and the UAE have been identified as honor cultures (Aslani et al, 2016; Krys et al, 2017; Maitner et al, 2017; Rodriguez Mosquera et al, 2002; Smith et al, 2017; Świdrak et al, 2019; Szmajke, 2008; Vandello & Cohen, 2003; Yao et al, 2017; Zdybek & Walczak, 2019). Honor cultures emerge in harsh, competitive environments with high levels of status inequality and historically weak institutions (Henry, 2009; Leung & Cohen, 2011).…”