Appraisal models of intercultural communication apprehension among sojourners

We used R. S. Lazarus’ (<i>Emotion and Adaptation.</i> Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991) appraisal theory of emotions to propose a theoretical model of anxiety, upon which we built two empirical models centering on intercultural communication apprehension (ICA), distinguished by timing. We tested the models in three samples: Chinese in the US (<i>N</i> = 268), US Americans who studied abroad (<i>N</i> = 419), and US Americans in the US (<i>N</i> = 515). The models achieved good fit. The results showed that during an anticipated or actual intercultural interaction, people had multiple, potentially conflicting goals. The goal-related appraisals of the situation resulted in emotional reactions, such as ICA, as well as coping strategies. ICA and coping further influenced people’s immediacy behaviors and the intention to interact. Our empirical models supported the utility of the theoretical framework for all three samples, and provided advice for practitioners to improve sojourners’ time abroad.

本研究援引R·S·拉扎勒斯（R. S. Lazarus）1991年由牛津大学出版社出版的《情绪与适应》（Emotion and Adaptation）中提出的情绪评价理论，构建焦虑的理论模型，并以此为基础搭建两个以跨文化交际焦虑（intercultural communication apprehension, ICA）为核心的实证模型，二者以交互时机作为区分维度。
我们在三个样本中对上述模型进行了检验：美国境内华人样本（N=268）、海外留学的美国人群样本（N=419）以及美国本土美国人群样本（N=515），所有模型均取得了良好的拟合效果。
研究结果显示，在预期或实际发生的跨文化交际场景中，个体往往同时持有多个可能存在冲突的目标。个体对情境的目标相关评价会引发诸如跨文化交际焦虑在内的情绪反应，同时也会催生相应的应对策略。
跨文化交际焦虑与应对策略进一步影响个体的即时交际行为与后续交际意愿。
本研究的实证模型在全部三个样本中均验证了该理论框架的适用性，并为从业者优化旅居者海外停留体验提供了实践参考。