Third Culture Kids, their diversity beliefs and their intercultural competences

Positive diversity beliefs are known to increase the effectiveness of diverse groups in organizations and society. Early cross-cultural experiences might facilitate developing these diversity beliefs. This study examined the relationship between being a third-culture kid (TCK) and one’s diversity be...

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Published in:International journal of intercultural relations Vol. 79; pp. 177 - 190
Main Authors: de Waal, Monika F., Born, Marise Ph, Brinkmann, Ursula, Frasch, Jona J.F.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: New Brunswick Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2020
Elsevier Science Ltd
Subjects:
Beliefs
Citizenship
Cultural differences
Cultural groups
Culture
Diversity beliefs
Intercultural competences
Intercultural sensitivity
Life experiences
Mediation
Multiculturalism & pluralism
Organizational effectiveness
Respondents
TCKs
Third Culture Kids
TCKs
Intercultural competences
Diversity beliefs
Third Culture Kids
ISSN:0147-1767, 1873-7552
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Positive diversity beliefs are known to increase the effectiveness of diverse groups in organizations and society. Early cross-cultural experiences might facilitate developing these diversity beliefs. This study examined the relationship between being a third-culture kid (TCK) and one’s diversity beliefs, and the possible mediation of this relationship by intercultural competences. Data came from 1454 respondents, 17–19 years of age, who filled out the Intercultural Readiness Check (IRC) between 2011 and 2016 (49.1 % female, 50.9 % male). 65.0 % of the respondents had specified their nationality as Dutch, and 35.0 % had indicated a different nationality. 550 respondents (37.8 %) had spent one or more years abroad and were thus classified as TCKs. Their diversity beliefs were compared to 904 respondents (62.2 %) who had never lived abroad, and who therefore were classified as non-TCKs. A mediated regression analysis showed that TCKs had higher positive diversity beliefs than non-TCKs, and that this relationship was mediated by the degree to which they had developed specific intercultural competences, being intercultural sensitivity and building commitment. These findings show that early cross-cultural life experiences help individuals to develop intercultural competences and positive diversity beliefs. Equipped with these competences and beliefs, TCKs can add value to organizations and society.
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ISSN:0147-1767
1873-7552
DOI:10.1016/j.ijintrel.2020.09.002