A Longitudinal Examination of WeChat Usage Intensity, Behavioral Engagement, and Cross-Cultural Adjustment among International Students in China

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  • Author(s): Chun Cao; Qian Meng (ORCID Qian Meng (ORCID 0000-0001-8330-9385); Huijuan Zhang
  • Language:
    English
  • Source:
    Higher Education: The International Journal of Higher Education Research. 2024 87(3):661-683.
  • Publication Date:
    2024
  • Document Type:
    Journal Articles
    Reports - Research
  • Additional Information
    • Availability:
      Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
    • Peer Reviewed:
      Y
    • Source:
      23
    • Subject Terms:
      Social Media; Foreign Students; Longitudinal Studies; Telecommunications; Foreign Countries; Student Behavior; Social Networks; Adjustment (to Environment); Student Adjustment; Positive Attitudes; Cross Cultural Studies; Learner Engagement; Learning
    • Subject Terms:
      China
    • Accession Number:
      10.1007/s10734-023-01029-5
    • ISSN:
      0018-1560
      1573-174X
    • Abstract:
      WeChat is a highly popular social media in China and many other Asian countries, but little is known about its effectiveness in facilitating international students' academic and social functioning. Hence, the present study aimed to examine causal or reciprocal relationships among WeChat usage intensity, behavioral engagement in academic learning (BE-academic) and in local social activities (BE-social), and academic and social adjustment. To this end, we employed a three-wave longitudinal design among international students in China with data collected at three times (i.e., Time 1 data collected in December of 2020, Time 2 data collected in March of 2021, and Time 3 data collected in June of 2021). Results based on the cross-lagged panel analyses indicated that in academic domains, WeChat usage intensity positively predicted longitudinal changes in BE-academic and academic adjustment positively predicted longitudinal changes in WeChat usage intensity across Time 1 and Time 3. In social domains, WeChat usage intensity positively predicted longitudinal changes in BE-social and social adjustment, and BE-social positively predicted longitudinal changes in social adjustment from Time 1 to Time 2. Additionally, the reverse effects of social adjustment on WeChat usage intensity were revealed across Time 1 and Time 3.
    • Abstract:
      As Provided
    • Publication Date:
      2024
    • Accession Number:
      EJ1413655