Critical factors: Best practices for expatriate accompanying partners in successfully adjusting while living across cultures

• Main Author: Richey, Roni
• Format: Others
• Published: Scholarly Commons 2014
• Subjects: Cultural anthropology; International Relations; Social sciences; Cross-cultural adjustment; Cross-cultural training; Cultural adjustment stress; Cultural adjustment success; Expatriate; Trailing spouses; International and Area Studies; Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Online Access: https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/252; https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1251&context=uop_etds

The primary emphasis in the field of expatriate adjustment has focused on the experiences of the person working overseas on assignment. Research that includes the experiences of the accompanying partner of the working expatriate frequently positions this person as an antecedent to the working partner's adjustment process. Understanding the adjustment process from the accompanying partner's perspective is underrepresented in the literature. In this qualitative research project eight expatriate couples were interviewed to examine in detail their experiences of adjusting overseas on assignment in order to identify the critical adjustment factors, the resources that are available to assist the adjustment process, and what personal characteristics aid a successful intercultural experience while living overseas. Recommendations are provided for both the employer and the accompanying partner to assist the adjustment process.