We can help ourselves and others through the culture shock process with recognition and awareness of some of the affected areas in our lives. Essentially, we need a psychological adjustment and a sociocultural adjustment to adapt to the new culture. Psychological adjustment is feelings of well being and satisfaction in cross cultural transitions. Adjustment depression is common, and affected by chronic strain, low self-esteem, and low mastery. Different strategies are necessary for newcomers to deal with such differences.
Researchers have recognized positive self talk strategies and positive situational appraisal strategies have been effective in this adaptation process. Positive self talk strategies include giving yourself a reward or a pat on the back for demonstrating adaptability in the new culture, and can create a more resilient mindset, which in turn allows you to deal more effectively with bombarding stimuli.
Positive situational appraisal strategies include changing perceptions and interpretations of stressful events or situations. That is, instead of being irritated at avoiding livestock and baby strollers alongside the road while driving in Costa Rica, remember that everyone has a right to use the road, so share it.
Research has indicated that the use of cognitive coping strategies is associated with lower stress levels and fewer depression symptoms.
Sociocultural adjustment is the ability to fit in and execute effective and appropriate interactions in the new cultural environment. This can include the quality or quantity of relations with the local people and the length of residence in the host country. Some research indicates that greater satisfaction is reported with a host culture when host nationals take the initiative to befriend them. In general, culture specific knowledge, language proficiency, greater contact with host nationals, and longer residency in the host culture are associated with lower levels of sociocultural difficulty in the new culture.
Research in intercultural communication competence has identified several components that are critical to the sojourners adjustment process, culture sensitive knowledge, motivation to adapt, activation of appropriate and effective communication skills, mastery of culture based contextual rules, and achievement of code desirable outcomes between the intercultural communicators.
Whether you are experiencing culture shock yourself, or find yourself interacting with someone new to your country, a greater understanding of culture shock can help assuage the transition into the new culture, making it a more pleasant experience.