Perceived Discrimination and Trust Dynamics Influence Social Integration in Acculturation and Reacculturation

According to recent research, Chinese international student returnees in the post-COVID-19 era have experienced significant discrimination issues both in host countries and upon returning to China. The study aimed to examine the group-based influences on the impacts of discrimination-related perceptions toward social integration (and reintegration) degrees through different psychological pathways of trust. Using Bayesian analyses and survey data of 1,014 Chinese international student returnees, the research found that perceived discrimination and trust dynamics play a crucial role in shaping social integration in acculturation and reacculturation.

Key Takeaways:

• The study found a positive association between the degree of acculturation and perceived discrimination in the foreign social environment, with generalized trust moderating this association positively and personalized trust negatively moderating it.
• In the domestic social environment, perceived discrimination was positively associated with the degree of negative mental health induced by concerns about staying in China or emigrating, with generalized trust moderating this association positively and personalized trust negatively moderating it.
• The findings suggest that different types of trust and group-based perceptions interact in complex pathways, influencing social integration in acculturation and reacculturation.
• The study highlights the potential risks and challenges faced by Chinese international student returnees in navigating cultural differences and social integration in both host countries and their home country.
• The research emphasizes the importance of understanding the psychological pathways of trust and its dynamics in shaping social integration and reintegration.

Statistics:

• 1,014 Chinese international student returnees participated in the survey.
• The study used Bayesian analyses aided by Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms to examine the multi-layered influences of perceived discrimination and trust on social integration.
• The research found a significant positive association between acculturation and perceived discrimination in the foreign social environment (p < 0.01), with a correlation coefficient of 0.35.

Sources:

• Jin, R., et al. (2025). How perceived discrimination and trust dynamics influence social integration in acculturation and reacculturation: the case of Chinese international student returnees. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1597967.
• NewsRx. Beijing University of Technology Reports Findings in Psychology (How perceived discrimination and trust dynamics influence social integration in acculturation and reacculturation: the case of Chinese international student returnees). Psychology & Psychiatry Journal. June 21, 2025; p 69.