| Summary: | Acculturation is a phenomenon which results when groups of individuals with different
cultures come into continuous first-hand contact with each other, with subsequent
changes in the original culture patterns of either or both groups. What an individual does
when he or she comes into contact with a second culture is assumed to have an effect on
his or her sense of emotional well-being. It has been hypothesized that how one copes
with that contact will affect such socio-emotional factors such as self-esteem, social
adjustment and academic performance and mental health. Furthermore, it has been
hypothesized that the strategies an individual uses to cope with second culture contact
will have an effect on that individual's academic or job performance, sense of social
competence, and psychological well-being.
From the available literature, various models are used in acculturation studies, namely the
Unidimensional model, Bidimensional model and Interactive Acculturation Model. It is
from the latter models that three groups of variables were addressed in this study: at the
group level, acculturation context variables include characteristics of the society of
settlement (work) and characteristics of the society of origin, at the individual level,
acculturation conditions include characteristics or factors that act as moderators prior to
acculturation and during acculturation and acculturation outcomes refers to the
consequences of the frequent contact between people from different cultural backgrounds
in terms of how well they function (do) and feel.
The general objective of this research is to analyse the acculturation process and to
determine the impact of acculturation context and individual variables on acculturation
outcomes of members of the SAPS. A cross-sectional survey design was used. A random
sample (n = 153) was taken of members of the SAPS in the Pretora Arca. Instruments
used in previous acculturation research were adapted to measure Mainstream Domain,
Ethnocultural Domain, Individual variable and Socio Cultural Acculturation Outcomes.
The results indicated that acculturation context and individual coping styles of members
of the SAPS did impact on acculturation outcomes variables explaining 29% and 35% of
the variance in physical and psychological (ill) health respectively and 26% and 33% of
the variance in perceived (work success) effectiveness and efficiency at work and
perceived status and recognition that you receive at work (for being successful)
respectively. Although 14% and 13% of the variance in perceived commitment from the
organisation to its employees and perceived commitment of the individual to its
organisation, only one of the models used in the hierurchicul regressions were found to
be statistically significant, with none of the predictors being statistically significant
contributors.
Limitation for the present study and recommendations for the organisation and future
research are also provided. === Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.
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