Culture Shock among Young British Volunteers Working Abroad: Predictors, Risk Factors and Outcome

Abstract

This study investigates the factors and circumstances that predict culture shock in young British volunteers working abroad, to identify those at risk to their mental health and of early return home. A new questionnaire to measure culture shock was developed for the study, derived from the literature on culture shock and first-hand reports by volunteers. Three hundred and eighty young British volunteers working in 27 countries completed the questionnaire 3 weeks after arrival. Cultural distance was the strongest predictor of culture shock, accounting for 36% of variance in questionnaire scores, followed by problems at work (14%). Higher culture shock scores at 3 weeks predicted a greater risk of early return home and lower satisfaction with their time abroad.