CROSS-CULTURAL ADAPTATION OF CROATIAN EXPATRIATES

This study attempts to distinguish psychological and sociocultural
forms of adjustment during the process of cross-cultural transitions. It will
show how culture shock is influenced by personality of Croatian expatriates,
what the influential factors are and how is going socio- and psychocultural
adjustment on the new culture. Results from empirical data indicate
that there are clear differences between some of demographic factors and
cross-cultural adaptation. Gender shows signifi cant difference in a relation
to critical thinking which is a part of psychological adjustment. Education
level shows differences among socio-cultural adaptation overall score, behavioral
adaptation, openness and critical thinking. Monthly income has an
impact on flexibility. Length of stay shows differences in a relation to emotional
regulation and critical thinking. On the other hand cognitive adaptation
correlates with critical thinking.