From home to abroad: Understanding personality, wellbeing, stress, social support and cultural adjustment

Title : From home to abroad: Understanding personality, wellbeing, stress, social support and cultural adjustment

Abstract:

Moving abroad is often viewed as an exciting opportunity for personal, educational, or professional growth. However, adjusting to life in a new country can also bring considerable psychological and social challenges. Being away from familiar surroundings, relationships, cultural practices, and support systems may increase stress and influence an individual's overall sense of wellbeing. At the same time, personal characteristics and supportive social relationships may shape how successfully people adjust to a new cultural environment.

The present quantitative study explores the relationship between personality, psychological wellbeing, perceived stress, social support, and cultural adjustment among individuals living outside their home country. The study focuses on how individual differences in personality and access to social support relate to experiences of stress, wellbeing, and adjustment while navigating a different cultural and social environment. Standardized psychological measures are used to assess the study variables, followed by appropriate statistical analyses to examine relationships between these factors.

Rather than viewing cultural adjustment simply as adapting to a new language, lifestyle, or set of social norms, this study considers it as a broader psychological experience. Moving away from home can require individuals to rebuild social networks, develop new coping strategies, and find a sense of belonging while maintaining their psychological wellbeing. Exploring the role of personality and social support may therefore provide a better understanding of why some individuals adapt more comfortably than others.

The study aims to contribute to a more person-centred understanding of mental wellbeing in culturally transitioning populations. Its findings may have practical relevance for counsellors, mental health professionals, universities, workplaces, and community organisations supporting people living abroad. Understanding the personal and social factors associated with healthier adjustment may also inform culturally sensitive approaches aimed at reducing stress, strengthening social support, and promoting psychological wellbeing during major life transitions.

Keywords: Personality; psychological wellbeing; perceived stress; social support; cultural adjustment; coping; mental health

Biography:

Priyanka is a psychologist, researcher, and academic currently pursuing an MRes in Psychology at the University of West London, UK. With over five years of experience in higher education, counselling, and psychological research, her interests include transcultural psychology, mental health, psychological wellbeing, resilience, and migratory stress. Her research particularly explores how cultural transitions and changing social environments influence psychological adjustment and wellbeing. She has published research in psychology and interdisciplinary areas and has received multiple Best Paper Presentation awards. Her work reflects a strong interest in developing culturally sensitive and evidence-based approaches to mental health and psychological wellbeing.