The Impact of Social Media on the Cross-Cultural Psychological Adaptation of African International Students in China: A Study Based on the Mediating Effect of Bridging Social Capital

Kunruonan Li

doi:10.47297/wspciWSP2516-252728.20261003

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The Impact of Social Media on the Cross-Cultural Psychological Adaptation of African International Students in China: A Study Based on the Mediating Effect of Bridging Social Capital

10卷第3期

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The Impact of Social Media on the Cross-Cultural Psychological Adaptation of African International Students in China: A Study Based on the Mediating Effect of Bridging Social Capital
The Impact of Social Media on the Cross-Cultural Psychological Adaptation of African International Students in China: A Study Based on the Mediating Effect of Bridging Social Capital
Communication University of China, Beijing, 100024, China
2026年10卷第3期页码：138-143
网络首发：2026-08-07，

纸质出版：2026-06-30
DOI：10.47297/wspciWSP2516-252728.20261003
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Kunruonan Li. (2026). The Impact of Social Media on the Cross-Cultural Psychological Adaptation of African International Students in China: A Study Based on the Mediating Effect of Bridging Social Capital. 创意与创新（英文版）, 10(3), 138-143.

Li Kunruonan.The Impact of Social Media on the Cross-Cultural Psychological Adaptation of African International Students in China: A Study Based on the Mediating Effect of Bridging Social Capital[J].Creativity and Innovation,2026,10(03):138-143.
Kunruonan Li. (2026). The Impact of Social Media on the Cross-Cultural Psychological Adaptation of African International Students in China: A Study Based on the Mediating Effect of Bridging Social Capital. 创意与创新（英文版）, 10(3), 138-143. DOI： 10.47297/wspciWSP2516-252728.20261003.

Li Kunruonan.The Impact of Social Media on the Cross-Cultural Psychological Adaptation of African International Students in China: A Study Based on the Mediating Effect of Bridging Social Capital[J].Creativity and Innovation,2026,10(03):138-143. DOI： 10.47297/wspciWSP2516-252728.20261003.

摘要

Abstract

In the context of globalization and the internationalization of higher education

the cross-cultural psychological adaptation of African international students in China is a key indicator for assessing the quality of their study-abroad experience and the effectiveness of cross-cultural exchange. This study aims to investigate the impact of social media usage on the cross-cultural psychological adaptation of African students in China and

based on social capital theory

examine the mediating role of bridging social capital within this relationship. The findings reveal that: First

proactive

cross-culturally oriented social media usage behavior can directly and significantly reduce acculturative stress

whereas the direct effect of general social media usage intensity becomes non-significant after controlling for usage behavior. Second

bridging social capital plays a full mediation role between social media usage behavior and acculturative stress. This study provides a theoretical explanation from the perspective of social capital for understanding cross-cultural adaptation in the digital age and offers empirical evidence for optimizing adaptive support services and social media guidance strategies for African international students.

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references

Bender, M., et al. (2019). Social support benefits psychological adjustment of international students: Evidence from a meta-analysis. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 50(7), 827–847.

Dong, C., Ding, Y., & Duan, C. (2020). Social media as a polymedia environment: Platform allocation and cultural adaptation of Chinese student groups. International Journalism, 42(7), 74–95.

Gebregergis, W. T., Huang, F., & Hong, J. (2020). The impact of emotional intelligence on depression among international students studying in China: The mediating effect of acculturative stress. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 79(1), 82–93.

Huang, F., Kim, F. S., & Guo, L. (2019). The relationship between psychological distress, acculturative stress, and coping among international students in China. Chinese Mental Health Journal, 33(2), 132–136.

Kuang, W., & Wu, X. (2019). Analysis of WeChat usage behavior of international students in China from a cross-cultural perspective: An empirical study based on acculturation theory. Wuhan University Journal (Philosophy & Social Sciences), 72(3), 115–126.

Sandel, T. L. (2014). "Oh, I'm here!": Social media's impact on the cross-cultural adaptation of students studying abroad. Journal of Intercultural Communication Research, 43(1), 1–29.

Song, F., & Chen, X. (2014). Research on the cross-cultural adaptation model of international students in China from the perspective of psychological capital. Guangxi Social Sciences, (9), 192–196.

Zhang, G., & Liu, H. (2022). Expression of loneliness in social media: Analysis of the pros and cons of disclosing negative emotions and seeking support. Editor's Friend, (9), 77–81.

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