Preditores do bem-estar subjetivo e da qualidade de vida em expatriados em missão no Brasil

Abstract

Expatriates are workers who are sent to another country for a predetermined time to carry out their work. They meet numerous setbacks upon their arrival to a new country, since they must have a satisfactory performance at work as well as deal with the intercultural adversities of a new cultural environment. Cultural difference refers to the degree of difference between countries, which consists of six dimensions according to Geert Hofstede’s model: Power Distance, Uncertainty Avoidance, Individualism vs Collectivism, Masculinity vs Feminility, Long-Term Orientation, and Indulgence. Considering that subjective well-being (SWB) is closely related to the subject’s culture, the aim of this observational, analytical and cross-sectional study was to examine the predictor variables for SWB and quality of life (QOL) for expatriates on mission in Brazil. The study sought to identify the predictive power of sociodemographic, labor and psychosocial variables, cultural distance, and intercultural effectiveness on SWB and QOL. The non-probabilistic sample comprised 238 expatriates on mission in Brazil. A combination of assessment tools was used: a questionnaire designed to provide sociodemographic, labor and psychosocial data; Geert Hofstede’s country scores (2018); the scale of positive and negative experience - SPANE (Diener et al., 2009); the satisfaction with life scale (Diener, Emmons, Larsen, & Griffin, 1985); The Whoqol-bref (The WHOQOL Group, 1995) and the multicultural personality questionnaire (MPQ) (Van der Zee & Oudenhoven, 2000, 2001). Data were collected through an online survey. Participants were invited through social networking websites, e-mail and companies that have expatriate staff members. The data were analyzed using multiple linear regression (stepwise method). This study found the following SWB predictorsgender, and intercultural efficiency in these dimensions: emotional stability, social initiative, and flexibility. The identified QOL predictors were life satisfaction, length of service, and these intercultural efficiency dimensions: social initiative, emotional stability, and flexibility. These findings can help enhance the knowledge of the influence of cultural distance on SWB and QOL of expatriates, filling a significant gap both nationally and internationally.