Exploring the Mediating Effect of Self-Efficacy on the Relationship Between Cultural Intelligence and Life Satisfaction: A Study of Chinese Students in South Korea

With the acceleration of globalization, an increasing number of Chinese students are choosing to study in South Korea. However, cross-cultural adaptation poses a significant challenge for these students. In this context, cultural intelligence (CQ), the ability of individuals to adapt to diverse cultural environments, becomes particularly important. While existing research indicates that CQ plays a crucial role in cross-cultural interactions, its impact on life satisfaction and the underlying mechanisms remain underexplored. This study conducted a stratified sampling online survey targeting Chinese students in various regions of South Korea. The survey regions were geographically categorized as follows: the northern region, including Seoul and Gyeonggi-do; the central region, including Daegu and Gyeongbuk; and the eastern region, including Busan. This categorization encompassed a total of five cities, aiming to ensure the representativeness and diversity of the sample. Ultimately, 392 valid responses were obtained, and data processing and hypothesis testing were performed using SPSS 25.0. The research results indicate that CQ significantly and positively predicts life satisfaction among Chinese students in South Korea. Moreover, self-efficacy partially mediates the relationship between CQ and life satisfaction, with CQ enhancing life satisfaction by boosting self-efficacy. These findings not only enrich the theoretical foundation of cross-cultural adaptation but also deepen our understanding of the adaptation processes and related psychological mechanisms of Chinese students in South Korea. They provide a new perspective for improving the life satisfaction of Chinese students studying in South Korea.