dc.description.abstract | A conceptualized exploration study was applied to the examination of expatriates’ behaviors
to identify adjustment methods and coping styles. The research addressed difficulties
expatriates experience, and coping styles used, in the adjustment to professional and sociocultural
aspects of living abroad in Kenya. Therefore, data was randomly collected from 20
expatriates permanently living and working in Kenya for a time period of at least four (4)
weeks, among informants aged 18 years of age and above. The participants were recruited
from expatriate specific social media outlets, and voluntarily provided open-ended responses
to questionnaires addressing specific professional and socio-cultural aspects such as
communication, safety, relationships and environment.
Participants reported using the professional adjustment method of separation with passive
coping, and socio-cultural adjustment method of integration with active coping, in preference
to other adjustment methods. A content analysis was used to analyze data with a
predetermined template of conceptualized themes. Open-ended responses where coded,
organized and analyzed based on the themes of professional adjustment, socio-cultural
adjustment, and coping styles. The findings indicate increased adjustment difficulties that
negatively affect behavior when participants employed marginalization and separation
adjustment methods, and fewer difficulties when employing integration or assimilation
adjustment methods. Actively seeking external support from others, engaging in community
based activities, and merging cultural norms are predictors of satisfactory adjustment for
expatriates in Kenya. | en_US |