Adaptation of foreign missionaries' children following reentry to the United States for college

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1993-05

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Abstract

The double ABCX model of family stress theory is used to study the reentry adaptation of 50 Southern Baptist "missionary kids" (MKs) who had returned to the United States within two to eight months of data collection and were enrolled in their first semester of college. Reentry adaptation is operationally defined as self-esteem and the degree to which MKs are experiencing reverse culture shock. Stressor pile-up, perception of reentry as a positive experience, and the perception of home were significantly related to the extent to which MKs were experiencing reverse culture shock (~<.01). Stressor pile-up, perceived family support, perception of reentry as a positive experience, family hardiness, and positive coping strategies were significantly related to self-esteem (~<. 05). Implications for future research are discussed.

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Keywords

Children of missionaries -- United States -- Psychology, Children of missionaries -- Education (Higher) -- United States, Reverse culture shock -- United States, Baptists -- United States -- Family relationships

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