Dynamic stages of personality adjustment: language switching and acculturation in first-generation Chinese immigrants

• Published in: BMC Psychology Vol. 13; no. 1; pp. 906 - 14
• Main Author: Chen, Xin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BioMed Central 12.08.2025; BioMed Central Ltd; BMC
• Subjects: Acculturation; Adaptability; Adaptation; Adaptation, Psychological; Adjustment; Adult; Anxiety; Assimilation (Sociology); Behavioral Science and Psychology; Bilingualism; China - ethnology; Chinese; Chinese immigrants; Chinese languages; Clinical Psychology; Code switching; Cognitive Psychology; Communication; Communication theory; Cultural factors; Culture; Culture shock; East Asian People; Emigrants and Immigrants - psychology; Emotional regulation; English as a second language; English proficiency; Female; Humans; Immigrants; Intercultural communication; Language; Language and languages; Language competence; Male; Mental depression; Mental health; Middle Aged; Multilingualism; Native languages; Perceptions; Personality; Personality adjustment; Personality traits; Psychological aspects; Psychological research; Psychology; Psychology Research; Qualitative research; Resilience (Psychology); Social aspects; Social networks; Social norms; Stress; Students; Study abroad; Young Adult; China; United States; United Kingdom; United States > US; Personality adjustment; English as a second language; Acculturation; Language competence; Chinese immigrants
• ISSN: 2050-7283; 2050-7283
• DOI: 10.1186/s40359-025-03222-w

Background This study explores the perceived personality adjustment of first-generation Chinese immigrants in bilingual communication contexts. While previous research highlights the role of language proficiency in the acculturation process, little attention has been given to how bilingual immigrants perceive personality shifts when switching languages. This study seeks to address this gap by investigating the dynamic stages of personality adjustment among Chinese immigrants in English as a Second Language (ESL) communication settings. Methods A phenomenological approach was used, with thirty semi-structured interviews conducted among first-generation bilingual Chinese immigrants residing in a Southern U.S. state. Participants discussed their experiences of personality adjustment when switching between Chinese and English. Data were analyzed following Moustakas’s four-step psychological phenomenology framework, with thematic analysis performed using NVivo software. Descriptive and pattern coding strategies were employed to identify key themes. Results The findings reveal a dynamic, non-linear four-stage process of personality adjustment: (1) absence of personality adjustment, (2) personality inhibition, (3) personality authenticity, and (4) personality cultural adaptation. ESL competence significantly influenced this process, but not all participants experienced every stage, nor did they follow the stages in a fixed order. Participants with lower Englis proficiency were more likely to experience personality inhibition, marked by emotional concealment, embarrassment, and self-doubt. Those with higher proficiency demonstrated personality authenticity and cultural adaptation, characterized by increased confidence, openness, and assertive communication styles. Conclusions The study underscores the complex, non-linear nature of personality adjustment in bilingual immigrants, shaped significantly by English competence. While higher language proficiency facilitated smoother acculturation and greater personality authenticity, lower proficiency was associated with acculturation stress. The findings highlight the importance of ESL programs addressing both language skills and the psychological dimensions of language learning. These insights provide valuable guidance for practitioners and policymakers in supporting bilingual immigrants through their acculturation journey.