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Post-migration Growth Scale for Chinese International Students: Development and Validation

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Abstract

There has been a significant paradigm shift in recent acculturation research from a psychopathological perspective to a resilience framework. However, one indicator of positive adaptation outcomes in acculturation—measurement of personal growth in migration—is lacking. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a Post-migration Growth Scale (PMGS) for Chinese international students. A 14-item scale was developed through in-depth interviews, item analysis and factor analysis. The scale was initially validated in a sample of 400 mainland Chinese students studying in Hong Kong. Exploratory factor analysis suggested two factors (interpersonal growth and intrapersonal growth), which were cross-validated in an independent sample of Chinese international students in Australia from mainland China (n = 154) by confirmatory factor analysis. The PMGS showed satisfactory internal consistency reliability and concurrent validity. The PMGS can thus be a reliable and valid instrument to measure Chinese international students’ personal growth from overseas study experiences. Limitations were discussed and implications were suggested.

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  1. Department of Social Work, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

    Jia-Yan Pan

  2. City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong

    Daniel Fu Keung Wong & Shengquan Ye

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  1. Jia-Yan Pan
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Pan, JY., Wong, D.F.K. & Ye, S. Post-migration Growth Scale for Chinese International Students: Development and Validation. J Happiness Stud 14, 1639–1655 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-012-9401-z

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