nofrans eka saputra, Yun Nina Ekawati, Jelpa Periantalo, Ayu Ulivia, Vicky Rillis

From Shock to Strength: Psychological Capital Mediates the Impact of Reverse Culture Shock on Distress

Introduction

From shock to strength: psychological capital mediates the impact of reverse culture shock on distress. Reverse culture shock causes distress in returning students. This study reveals how psychological capital can mediate and buffer this impact, strengthening re-adaptation.

Abstract

Reverse Culture Shock (RCS) is a psychosocial challenge experienced by individuals returning to their home country after participating in a program abroad. This study aims to examine the effect of RCS on psychological distress, with psychological capital acting as a mediating variable.This research employed a quantitative survey design and utilized Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) for data analysis. Data were collected using the DASS-21 scale, the Psychological Capital (PsyCap) scale, and the Reverse Culture Shock scale. The population consisted of 1,980 awardees of the 2023 Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA), with a sample of 316 students selected through random sampling. The results revealed that RCS had a significant negative effect on psychological capital (β = -0.427; p < .001) and a significant positive effect on psychological distress (β = 0.348; p < .001). Psychological capital also had a significant negative effect on psychological distress (β = -0.368; p < .001). Furthermore, a partial mediation effect of psychological capital was found in the relationship between RCS and psychological distress (β = 0.157; VAF = 31.1%; p < .01). These findings suggest that higher levels of RCS are associated with greater psychological distress, but psychological capital can buffer this negative impact. The study highlights the importance of psychological interventions that strengthen internal psychological resources to support re-adaptation after cross-cultural experiences.

Review

This study, "From Shock to Strength: Psychological Capital Mediates the Impact of Reverse Culture Shock on Distress," provides a timely and important investigation into the psychological well-being of individuals returning from international programs. The research effectively addresses the psychosocial challenge of Reverse Culture Shock (RCS) and its impact on psychological distress, introducing psychological capital (PsyCap) as a mediating factor. The findings compellingly demonstrate that higher levels of RCS contribute to increased psychological distress, but crucially, psychological capital can partially buffer this negative association, offering a constructive avenue for intervention and support. The strengths of this research are evident in its robust methodological approach. The use of a quantitative survey design combined with Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is appropriate for examining the complex mediation model proposed. The study employs widely recognized and validated scales (DASS-21, PsyCap scale, and a Reverse Culture Shock scale), which enhances the reliability and credibility of the data. Furthermore, focusing on a specific population of Indonesian students returning from the IISMA program provides a culturally relevant context, and the substantial sample size obtained through random sampling supports the statistical power of the analysis. The clear and statistically significant results provide strong evidence for the proposed relationships. Despite its strengths, the study's cross-sectional design inherently limits the ability to establish definitive causality, as observations are made at a single point in time. A longitudinal study would be invaluable for tracking the progression of RCS and distress, as well as changes in PsyCap, over the re-adaptation period. While the focus on IISMA awardees offers valuable contextual specificity, it also suggests that the generalizability of these findings to other populations of international returnees (e.g., non-students, different cultural backgrounds, other types of international experiences) may be limited. Future research could explore which specific dimensions of psychological capital are most influential in mediating the impact of RCS and investigate the effectiveness of tailored psychological interventions designed to foster these resources in diverse returnee communities.

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