Development and validation of a cross-cultural capital scale for international academic sojourners

Authors

  • Sehrish Nawaz University of Sargodha, Pakistan
  • Muhammad Naveed Riaz University of Sargodha, Pakistan
  • Muhammad Akram Riaz University of Home Economics, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/135kjj19

Keywords:

Cross-Cultural Capital, International Academic Sojourners, Development, Validation

Abstract

This research addresses the critical need for a psychometrically sound instrument to assess the multifaceted construct of cross-cultural capital among international academic sojourners. The main objective of the study was to develop and validate the cross-cultural capital scale for academic sojourners. Through rigorous qualitative (e.g., interviews with international students) and quantitative methods (e.g., exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, reliability and validity assessments against related constructs such as cultural intelligence and ethnocentrism), the scale's dimensionality was established using data collected from a diverse sample of academic sojourners across various host cultures. Finally, four factors were extracted, including cross-cultural skills, cross-cultural attitudes, cross-cultural knowledge, and cross-cultural belief. The resulting scale is expected to provide researchers and practitioners with a valuable tool for understanding the role of cross-cultural capital in academic success, intercultural adjustment, and overall well-being among academic sojourners.

Author Biographies

  • Sehrish Nawaz, University of Sargodha, Pakistan

    Sehrish Nawaz, PhD, is a Lecturer at the Department of Psychology at the Govt. College, Mandi Bahaudin, Pakistan.  Her primary research interests lie in applied psychology. 

  • Muhammad Naveed Riaz, University of Sargodha, Pakistan

    Muhammad Naveed Riaz, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan. His major research interests lie in applied psychology and industrial/organizational psychology. 

  • Muhammad Akram Riaz, University of Home Economics, Pakistan

    Muhammad Akram Riaz, PhD, is a Lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the University of Home Economics, Lahore, Pakistan. His major research interests lie in cross-cultural and social psychology. 

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Published

2026-02-10

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Section

Research Articles (English, regular edition)

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How to Cite

Sehrish Nawaz, Riaz, M. N. ., & Riaz, M. A. . (2026). Development and validation of a cross-cultural capital scale for international academic sojourners. Journal of International Students, 16(4), 161-184. https://doi.org/10.32674/135kjj19