Understanding the Relationship between Self-construals, Self-esteem, Religiosity, Social Support and the Sociocultural Adaptation of African Students in North Cyprus

Moving to a new environment is usually associated with difficulties. International students have to adapt to the new environment and this can be challenging if the new environment is very different from the students‟ home environment. This study sought to explore the relationship between self-construals, self-esteem, religiosity, social support and the sociocultural adaptation of African students in North Cyprus. A total of 122 students from Sub-Saharan Africa studying in Eastern Mediterranean University completed a questionnaire which had a demographic section and the Singelis Self-construals scale, the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, the Hoge Intrinsic Religiosity Scale and the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List. Results showed that only the interdependent self-construal and social support predicted sociocultural adaptation. This study highlights the importance of social support for international students from Sub-Saharan Africa studying in North Cyprus. Keywords: Sociocultural adaptation, self-construals, African students, North Cyprus.