Nonlinear influences of stressors on general adjustment: the case of Japanese expatriates and their spouses

Integrating research on parental demands, learning, and expatriate adjustment, we examine potential nonlinear influences of two stressors – parental demands and perceived culture novelty – on general adjustment of expatriates and their spouses. Using a sample of 170 matched pairs of Japanese expatriates and spouses assigned to the US, we found a quadratic effect of parental demands and a cubic effect of cultural novelty on spouse general adjustment but not on expatriate general adjustment. Implications and directions for future research are discussed. Journal of International Business Studies (2007) 38, 928–943. doi:10.1057/palgrave.jibs.8400298