Time Perspective and the Psychological Well-Being of Chinese University Students adapting to Russia

Abstract

Background:The purpose is to examine the specifics of time perspective and the psychological well-being of Chinese University students, who differ in their level of social-psychological adaptation to Russia.Objective:The psychological well-being and time perspective.Method:With the use of 5 questionnaire-type methodologies we conducted the study with 120 RUDN University students (60 men and 60 women from China).Results:The comparative and factor analysis reveal that there are differences in time perspective and psychological well-being. Students from the 1st group, who have been in Russia for less than one year, have adapted the least to Russian culture. They experience a low level of subjective well-being. The 2nd with approximately 3 years of adapting to a new culture shows instability in adapting. Their level of self-acceptance is average; they often experience emotional discomfort. The 3rd group with more than 5 years of immersion into a new culture, demonstrates a higher level of adaptation as well as a higher level of subjective well-being. This group is able to identify the positive experiences from their past and can relate to the uncertainty of their future optimistically. A link was found between maladaptation in the context of poor time perceptive, a negative view of one’s self in the past and the inability to intrinsically control ones present. The results received cohere with the concept of adaptation as a cyclical ever-increasing curve Y.Y. Kim.Conclusion:The observed differences can help to develop a program dedicated to the psychological adaptation of foreign students in Russia.