Expatriates cross-cultural adjustment at the time of COVID-19: a Conservation of Resources (COR) perspective

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic represents a potentially traumatic event with long-term consequences. From a human resource development (HRD) perspective, COVID-19 poses significant challenges, especially in the case of foreign workers. Although expatriation can be highly stressful, an adequate level of adjustment can promote an experience of growth and development. Drawing from the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, this study investigates the relationship between COVID-19 related trauma and the level of cross-cultural adjustment (CCA) in a sample of 170 Italian short-term expatriates. Specifically, we hypothesise a moderated mediation model in which COVID-19-related posttraumatic stress is associated with a lower level of CCA both directly and indirectly through a deterioration in psychological health. Moreover, we investigate the influence of organisations by analysing the moderating role of perceived organisational support (POS). As expected, the results supported both the direct and mediation hypothesis, while the link between COVID-19 related trauma and psychological health and the indirect effect showed different shapes for varying levels of POS. These findings can hopefully offer useful insights for promoting psychological health and positive experiences.

KEYWORDS:

• Short-term assignments
• trauma
• hostile environments
• perceived organisational support
• HRD

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on reasonable request from the corresponding author.