Challenges Facing Young Chinese “Knowledge Migrants” in Shanghai: Anxiety and Acculturation

1. Chen Feifei Intercultural Communication Institute Shanghai International Studies University China 29/12/2008 Challenges Facing Young Chinese “Knowledge Migrants” in Shanghai: Anxiety and Acculturation

2. Key Words Acculturation; Knowledge Migrants; Post-80s; Anxiety; State anxiety; Strait anxiety . Research Motivation • Personal concern • Knowledge migrants, an invisible social group • -Hot media discussion on anxiety vs. few quantitative –based academic studies Research Purpose • -To investigate the anxiety and acculturation level of YKM quantitatively • -To examine demographic factors influencing on YKM’s acculturation level • -To explore the relationship between anxiety and acculturation

3. --Berry’s Acculturation Framework Psychological Acculturation Adaptation -Behavioral Shift -Psychological Adaptation -Acculturative Stress -Socialcultural Adaptation -Psychopathology Key Resources --Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Theory State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)

4. Pre-arrival Factors (5 items) ④ Post-arrival Factors (2 items) ④ Theoretical Framework of the Overall Research Acculturation ② ③ Anxiety① State Trait Research Questions and Hypothesis Q1: What are the cultural-specific items relevant for measuring the acculturation level of YKM transitioning to Shanghai? H1: The anxiety level of knowledge migrants transitioning to Shanghai is higher than the average Chinese. H2: State anxiety and trait anxiety are both negatively correlated with acculturation level. Q2: What are the demographic factors affecting anxiety status and acculturation level?

5. Research Method 1 Qualitative Analysis to Develop Research Questionnaire -To develop a measurement assessing the acculturation level of YKM in Shanghai (AL-YKM-SH) Berry’s framework 12 Individual interview 1 Focus group (semi-structured interview) AL-YKM-SH Unit Analysis -Improve the Chinese version of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory -Questionnaire on demographic factors (Five pre-arrival factors and two post-arrival factors) 2 Quantitative Survey and Statistical Analysis -Sample Methodology (Descriptive demographic statistics & sampling representativness) -Data Screening and Inputting (107/98) -Statistical Analysis (Reliability test, regression analysis, correlation analysis, etc.)

6. Key Findings -- AL-YKM-SH containing eight sub-themes with good reliability -- Among seven demographic factors which are usually regarded as correlated with acculturation level, only marital status and residential duration exert significant influence on acculturation level. -- KYM’s anxiety level is higher than the average Chinese. -- Both State Anxiety and Trait Anxiety have strong negative correlation with acculturation level; among the eight sub-themes of acculturation, “stress phenomena”, “mutual acceptance” and “life satisfaction and future expectation” are negatively correlated with S-anxiety and T-anxiety. Conclusion --Academic Significance --Practical Significance Chen Feifei Intercultural Communication Institute Shanghai International Studies University

7. Sub-theme Distribution of AL-YKM-SH

8. Key Findings -- AL-YKM-SH containing eight sub-themes with good reliability -- Among seven demographic factors which are usually regarded as correlated with acculturation level, only marital status and residential duration exert significant influence on acculturation level. -- KYM’s anxiety level is higher than the average Chinese. -- Both State Anxiety and Trait Anxiety have strong negative correlation with acculturation level; among the eight sub-themes of acculturation, “stress phenomena”, “mutual acceptance” and “life satisfaction and future expectation” are negatively correlated with S-anxiety and T-anxiety. Thank you -- Social pressure unique to Shanghai as one of the most cosmopolitan cities in China might also be a resource of anxiety. Conclusion --Academic Significance Chen Feifei Intercultural Communication Institute Shanghai International Studies University --Practical Significance