FROM ANOMIE TO REFLEXIVITY: SYNTHESIS OF THEORETICAL APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS SOCIAL ADAPTATION
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Published:
Nov 19, 2025
Keywords:
social adaptation, international students, anomie, commpunicative competence, cultural capital, reflexivity
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O.V. Kuznetsova
Email: kuznetsova1@mail.ru
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9895-0471
Abstract
The article is devoted to the analysis of some key theoretical approaches within which it is possible to study the mechanism of social adaptation of international students. The author examines the concept of anomie by E. Durkheim, the theory of communicative action by Yu. Habermas, E. Giddens' theory of structuration and P. Bourdieu's concept of cultural capital. The main focus is on the importance of moving from passive assimilation of norms to an active, reflexive adaptation project, where students design their own integration strategies. The article highlights the importance of communicative competence, the conversion of cultural capital, and the role of trust in overcoming barriers to adaptation. On the basis of the comparative analysis it is concluded that a comprehensive model of support for international students that combines structural and agent-based aspects of adaptation can be the most effective.
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Kuznetsova, O. (2025). FROM ANOMIE TO REFLEXIVITY: SYNTHESIS OF THEORETICAL APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS SOCIAL ADAPTATION . Society and Security Insights, 8(3), 177-194. https://doi.org/10.14258/SSI(2025)3-10
Section
SOCIAL, CULTURAL, HISTORICAL STUDIES AND SECURITY
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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References
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Гидденс Э. Устроение общества: Очерк теории структурации. 2-е изд. М.: Академический Проект, 2005. 528 с.
Дюркгейм Э. О разделении общественного труда / Пер. с фр. А.Б. Гофмана, примечания В.В. Сапова. М.: Канон, 1996. 432 с.
Дюркгейм Э. Самоубийство. Социологический этюд. М. : Издательство Юрайт, 2025. 316 с.
Кузнецова О.В., Кремнёв Е.В., Алексеюк С.Е. Сравнительный анализ ценностных ориентаций китайских и российских студентов в отношении обучения в контексте теории культурных измерений Г. Хофстеде // Society and Security Insights. 2024. Т. 7. № 3. С. 109–126.
Хабермас Ю. Теория коммуникативной деятельности. М.: Весь мир, 2022. 577 с.
Arzimova S. Formation of Communicative Competence in Foreign Students at the Initial Stage of Learning Russian as a Foreign Language // Law Economics and Society. 2025. No. 5(12). P. 12–22.
Berry J. W. Acculturation and Adaptation in a New Society // International Migration. 1992. No. 30. P. 69–85.
Berry J. W. Immigration, acculturation, and adaptation // Applied Psychology International Review. 1997. Vol. 46. P. 5–34.
Berry J.W. Living successfully in two cultures // International Journal of Intercultural Relations. 2005. Vol. 29. P. 697–712.
Bodycott P. Choosing a higher education study abroad destination // Journal of Research in International Education. 2009. No. 8. P.349–373.
Bourdieu P. The Forms of Capital // Handbook of Theory and Research for the Sociology of Education, ed. by J. G. Richardson. New York: Greenwood Press, 1986. P. 241–258.
Cortazzi M., Jin L. Cultures of learning: Language classrooms in China // Society and the language classroom, ed. by H. Coleman. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996. Р. 169–206.
Di Y. Micro-Ethnography Study: Effect of Home Habitus, and Western Cultural Capital on Foreign Students’ Small Group Discussion Experience // Scientific and Social Research. 2025. Vol. 7. Iss. 2. P. 115–121.
Edwards V., Ye Y. A sociological exploration of the impact of study abroad on international PhD students’ self-identity // Journal of Intercultural Communication. 2018. No.18 (2). P. 1–15.
Gareis E. Intercultural Friendship: Effects of Home and Host Region // Journal of International and Intercultural Communication. 2012. No. 5 (4). P. 309–328.
Gurevych R., Sira L., Kanyuk O., Sidun L., Syno V., & Chernovol O. Formation of Communicative Competence of Foreign Students in Conditions of Distance Learning // Revista Românească pentru Educaţie Multidimensională. 2022. No. 14 (2). P. 500–512.
Hofstede G. Dimensionalizing Cultures: The Hofstede Model in Context // Online Readings in Psychology and Culture. 2011. Vol. 2. № 1. P. 45–66.
Huang J., Yoon D. Cultural Capital and the Transnational Mobility of Asian Middle-Class Students to Germany // SAGE Open. January-March 2024. P. 1–12.
Hyland K. Teaching and Researching Writing (3rd ed.). London: Routledge, 2016. 314 р.
Kimmel K., Volet S. University Students’ Perceptions of and Attitudes Towards Culturally Diverse Group Work // Journal of Studies in International Education. 2010. No. 16 (2). P. 157–181.
Liu C. The Application of Habermas' Theory of Communication Action to the Work of College’s Counselors // Frontiers in Educational Research. 2021.Vol. 4. Iss. 9. P. 90–95.
Ma R. Habitus and Cultural Capital in Higher Education: Chinese Students' Academic and Cultural Adaptation at UK Universities // Transactions on Social Science, Education and Humanities Research. 2024. Vol. 7. P. 126–133.
Presbitero A. Culture shock and reverse culture shock: The moderating role of cultural intelligence in international students’ adaptation // International Journal of Intercultural Relations. 2016. Vol. 53. P. 28–38.
Smith R. A., Khawaja N. G. A review of the acculturation experiences of international students // International Journal of Intercultural Relations. 2011. No. 35 (6). P. 699–713.
Thomas W.I., Znaniecki F. The Polish Peasant in Europe and America. New York: Alfred A Knopf. Vol. 1. 1927. 1115 p.
Volet S. E., Ang G. Culturally mixed groups on international campuses: An opportunity for intercultural learning // Higher Education Research and Development. 1998. Vol. 17 (1). P. 5–23.
Wang D. The Cross-Cultural Academic Adaptation of Chinese Students in an American University: Academic Challenges, Influential Factors and Coping Strategies // Research in Social Sciences. 2022. Vol. 5. No. 1. Р. 43–53.
Ward C., Bochner S., Furnham A. The psychology of culture shock (2nd ed.). London: Routledge, 2008. 372 р.
Wilczewski M., Alon I. Language and communication in international students’ adaptation: a bibliometric and content analysis review // Higher Education. 2022. Vol. 85 (4). P. 1–22.
Wu H., Garza E., Guzman N. International Student’s Challenge and Adjustment to College // Education Research International. 2015. Vol. 20. P. 1–9.
Yeh C. J., Inose M. International students' reported English fluency, social support satisfaction, and social connectedness as predictors of acculturative stress // Counselling Psychology Quarterly. 2003. Vol. 16 (1). P. 15–28.
REFERENCES
Bourdieu, P. (1998). Structure, Habitus, and Practice. Journal of Sociology and Social Anthropology, I (2), 44–59. (In Russ.)
Giddens, A. (2005). The Constitution of Society. Outline of the Theory of Structuration. 2nd ed. M.: Academic Project. (In Russ.)
Durkheim, E. (1996). The Division of Labor in Society. М.: Canon. (In Russ.)
Durkheim, E. (2025). Suicide: A Study in Sociology. М. : Yurayt Publishing House. (In Russ.)
Kuznetsova, O.V., Kremnev, E. V., Alexeyuk, S. E. (2024). Comparative analysis of Chinese and Russian students value orientations in relation to learning in the context of G. Hofstede theory of cultural dimensions. Society and Security Insights, 7 (3), 109–126. (In Russ.)
Habermas, J. (2022). Theory of communicative action. М.: The whole world. (In Russ.)
Arzimova, S. (2025). Formation of Communicative Competence in Foreign Students at the Initial Stage of Learning Russian as a Foreign Language. Law Economics and Society, 5(12), 12–22.
Berry, J. W. (1992). Acculturation and Adaptation in a New Society. International Migration, 30, 69–85.
Berry, J. W. (1997). Immigration, acculturation, and adaptation. Applied Psychology International Review, 46, 5–34.
Berry, J.W. (2005). Living successfully in two cultures. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 29, 697–712.
Bodycott, P. (2009). Choosing a higher education study abroad destination. Journal of Research in International Education, 8, 349–373.
Bourdieu, P. (1986). The Forms of Capital. Handbook of Theory and Research for the Sociology of Education, ed. by J. G. Richardson. New York: Greenwood Press.
Cortazzi, M., Jin, L. (1996). Cultures of learning: Language classrooms in China. Society and the language classroom, ed. by H. Coleman. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Di, Y. (2025). Micro-Ethnography Study: Effect of Home Habitus, and Western Cultural Capital on Foreign Students’ Small Group Discussion Experience. Scientific and Social Research, 7 (2), 115–121.
Edwards, V., Ye, Y. (2018). A sociological exploration of the impact of study abroad on international PhD students’ self-identity. Journal of Intercultural Communication, 18 (2), 1–15.
Gareis, E. (2012). Intercultural Friendship: Effects of Home and Host Region. Journal of International and Intercultural Communication, 5 (4), 309–328.
Gurevych, R., Sira, L., Kanyuk, O., Sidun, L., Syno, V., & Chernovol, O. (2022). Formation of Communicative Competence of Foreign Students in Conditions of Distance Learning. Revista Românească pentru Educaţie Multidimensională, 14 (2), 500–512.
Hofstede, G. (2011). Dimensionalizing Cultures: The Hofstede Model in Context. Online Readings in Psychology and Culture, 2 (1), 45–66.
Huang, J., Yoon, D. (2024). Cultural Capital and the Transnational Mobility of Asian Middle-Class Students to Germany. SAGE Open, January-March, 1–12.
Hyland, K. (2016). Teaching and Researching Writing (3rd ed.). London: Routledge.
Kimmel, K., Volet, S. (2010). University Students’ Perceptions of and Attitudes Towards Culturally Diverse Group Work. Journal of Studies in International Education, 16 (2), 157–181.
Liu, C. (2021). The Application of Habermas' Theory of Communication Action to the Work of College’s Counselors. Frontiers in Educational Research, 4 (9), 90–95.
Ma, R. (2024). Habitus and Cultural Capital in Higher Education: Chinese Students' Academic and Cultural Adaptation at UK Universities. Transactions on Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, 7, 126–133.
Presbitero, A. (2016). Culture shock and reverse culture shock: The moderating role of cultural intelligence in international students’ adaptation. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 53, 28–38.
Smith, R. A., Khawaja, N. G. (2011). A review of the acculturation experiences of international students. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 35 (6), 699–713.
Thomas, W.I., Znaniecki, F. (1927). The Polish Peasant in Europe and America. New York: Alfred A Knopf.
Volet, S. E., Ang, G. (1998). Culturally mixed groups on international campuses: An opportunity for intercultural learning. Higher Education Research and Development, 17 (1), 5–23.
Wang, D. (2022). The Cross-Cultural Academic Adaptation of Chinese Students in an American University: Academic Challenges, Influential Factors and Coping Strategies. Research in Social Sciences, 5 (1), 43–53.
Ward, C., Bochner, S., Furnham, A. (2008). The psychology of culture shock (2nd ed.). London: Routledge.
Wilczewski, M., Alon, I. (2022). Language and communication in international students’ adaptation: a bibliometric and content analysis review. Higher Education, 85 (4), 1–22.
Wu, H., Garza, E., Guzman, N. (2015). International Student’s Challenge and Adjustment to College. Education Research International, 20, 1–9.
Yeh, C. J., Inose, M. (2003). International students' reported English fluency, social support satisfaction, and social connectedness as predictors of acculturative stress. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 16 (1), 15–28.
Гидденс Э. Устроение общества: Очерк теории структурации. 2-е изд. М.: Академический Проект, 2005. 528 с.
Дюркгейм Э. О разделении общественного труда / Пер. с фр. А.Б. Гофмана, примечания В.В. Сапова. М.: Канон, 1996. 432 с.
Дюркгейм Э. Самоубийство. Социологический этюд. М. : Издательство Юрайт, 2025. 316 с.
Кузнецова О.В., Кремнёв Е.В., Алексеюк С.Е. Сравнительный анализ ценностных ориентаций китайских и российских студентов в отношении обучения в контексте теории культурных измерений Г. Хофстеде // Society and Security Insights. 2024. Т. 7. № 3. С. 109–126.
Хабермас Ю. Теория коммуникативной деятельности. М.: Весь мир, 2022. 577 с.
Arzimova S. Formation of Communicative Competence in Foreign Students at the Initial Stage of Learning Russian as a Foreign Language // Law Economics and Society. 2025. No. 5(12). P. 12–22.
Berry J. W. Acculturation and Adaptation in a New Society // International Migration. 1992. No. 30. P. 69–85.
Berry J. W. Immigration, acculturation, and adaptation // Applied Psychology International Review. 1997. Vol. 46. P. 5–34.
Berry J.W. Living successfully in two cultures // International Journal of Intercultural Relations. 2005. Vol. 29. P. 697–712.
Bodycott P. Choosing a higher education study abroad destination // Journal of Research in International Education. 2009. No. 8. P.349–373.
Bourdieu P. The Forms of Capital // Handbook of Theory and Research for the Sociology of Education, ed. by J. G. Richardson. New York: Greenwood Press, 1986. P. 241–258.
Cortazzi M., Jin L. Cultures of learning: Language classrooms in China // Society and the language classroom, ed. by H. Coleman. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996. Р. 169–206.
Di Y. Micro-Ethnography Study: Effect of Home Habitus, and Western Cultural Capital on Foreign Students’ Small Group Discussion Experience // Scientific and Social Research. 2025. Vol. 7. Iss. 2. P. 115–121.
Edwards V., Ye Y. A sociological exploration of the impact of study abroad on international PhD students’ self-identity // Journal of Intercultural Communication. 2018. No.18 (2). P. 1–15.
Gareis E. Intercultural Friendship: Effects of Home and Host Region // Journal of International and Intercultural Communication. 2012. No. 5 (4). P. 309–328.
Gurevych R., Sira L., Kanyuk O., Sidun L., Syno V., & Chernovol O. Formation of Communicative Competence of Foreign Students in Conditions of Distance Learning // Revista Românească pentru Educaţie Multidimensională. 2022. No. 14 (2). P. 500–512.
Hofstede G. Dimensionalizing Cultures: The Hofstede Model in Context // Online Readings in Psychology and Culture. 2011. Vol. 2. № 1. P. 45–66.
Huang J., Yoon D. Cultural Capital and the Transnational Mobility of Asian Middle-Class Students to Germany // SAGE Open. January-March 2024. P. 1–12.
Hyland K. Teaching and Researching Writing (3rd ed.). London: Routledge, 2016. 314 р.
Kimmel K., Volet S. University Students’ Perceptions of and Attitudes Towards Culturally Diverse Group Work // Journal of Studies in International Education. 2010. No. 16 (2). P. 157–181.
Liu C. The Application of Habermas' Theory of Communication Action to the Work of College’s Counselors // Frontiers in Educational Research. 2021.Vol. 4. Iss. 9. P. 90–95.
Ma R. Habitus and Cultural Capital in Higher Education: Chinese Students' Academic and Cultural Adaptation at UK Universities // Transactions on Social Science, Education and Humanities Research. 2024. Vol. 7. P. 126–133.
Presbitero A. Culture shock and reverse culture shock: The moderating role of cultural intelligence in international students’ adaptation // International Journal of Intercultural Relations. 2016. Vol. 53. P. 28–38.
Smith R. A., Khawaja N. G. A review of the acculturation experiences of international students // International Journal of Intercultural Relations. 2011. No. 35 (6). P. 699–713.
Thomas W.I., Znaniecki F. The Polish Peasant in Europe and America. New York: Alfred A Knopf. Vol. 1. 1927. 1115 p.
Volet S. E., Ang G. Culturally mixed groups on international campuses: An opportunity for intercultural learning // Higher Education Research and Development. 1998. Vol. 17 (1). P. 5–23.
Wang D. The Cross-Cultural Academic Adaptation of Chinese Students in an American University: Academic Challenges, Influential Factors and Coping Strategies // Research in Social Sciences. 2022. Vol. 5. No. 1. Р. 43–53.
Ward C., Bochner S., Furnham A. The psychology of culture shock (2nd ed.). London: Routledge, 2008. 372 р.
Wilczewski M., Alon I. Language and communication in international students’ adaptation: a bibliometric and content analysis review // Higher Education. 2022. Vol. 85 (4). P. 1–22.
Wu H., Garza E., Guzman N. International Student’s Challenge and Adjustment to College // Education Research International. 2015. Vol. 20. P. 1–9.
Yeh C. J., Inose M. International students' reported English fluency, social support satisfaction, and social connectedness as predictors of acculturative stress // Counselling Psychology Quarterly. 2003. Vol. 16 (1). P. 15–28.
REFERENCES
Bourdieu, P. (1998). Structure, Habitus, and Practice. Journal of Sociology and Social Anthropology, I (2), 44–59. (In Russ.)
Giddens, A. (2005). The Constitution of Society. Outline of the Theory of Structuration. 2nd ed. M.: Academic Project. (In Russ.)
Durkheim, E. (1996). The Division of Labor in Society. М.: Canon. (In Russ.)
Durkheim, E. (2025). Suicide: A Study in Sociology. М. : Yurayt Publishing House. (In Russ.)
Kuznetsova, O.V., Kremnev, E. V., Alexeyuk, S. E. (2024). Comparative analysis of Chinese and Russian students value orientations in relation to learning in the context of G. Hofstede theory of cultural dimensions. Society and Security Insights, 7 (3), 109–126. (In Russ.)
Habermas, J. (2022). Theory of communicative action. М.: The whole world. (In Russ.)
Arzimova, S. (2025). Formation of Communicative Competence in Foreign Students at the Initial Stage of Learning Russian as a Foreign Language. Law Economics and Society, 5(12), 12–22.
Berry, J. W. (1992). Acculturation and Adaptation in a New Society. International Migration, 30, 69–85.
Berry, J. W. (1997). Immigration, acculturation, and adaptation. Applied Psychology International Review, 46, 5–34.
Berry, J.W. (2005). Living successfully in two cultures. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 29, 697–712.
Bodycott, P. (2009). Choosing a higher education study abroad destination. Journal of Research in International Education, 8, 349–373.
Bourdieu, P. (1986). The Forms of Capital. Handbook of Theory and Research for the Sociology of Education, ed. by J. G. Richardson. New York: Greenwood Press.
Cortazzi, M., Jin, L. (1996). Cultures of learning: Language classrooms in China. Society and the language classroom, ed. by H. Coleman. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Di, Y. (2025). Micro-Ethnography Study: Effect of Home Habitus, and Western Cultural Capital on Foreign Students’ Small Group Discussion Experience. Scientific and Social Research, 7 (2), 115–121.
Edwards, V., Ye, Y. (2018). A sociological exploration of the impact of study abroad on international PhD students’ self-identity. Journal of Intercultural Communication, 18 (2), 1–15.
Gareis, E. (2012). Intercultural Friendship: Effects of Home and Host Region. Journal of International and Intercultural Communication, 5 (4), 309–328.
Gurevych, R., Sira, L., Kanyuk, O., Sidun, L., Syno, V., & Chernovol, O. (2022). Formation of Communicative Competence of Foreign Students in Conditions of Distance Learning. Revista Românească pentru Educaţie Multidimensională, 14 (2), 500–512.
Hofstede, G. (2011). Dimensionalizing Cultures: The Hofstede Model in Context. Online Readings in Psychology and Culture, 2 (1), 45–66.
Huang, J., Yoon, D. (2024). Cultural Capital and the Transnational Mobility of Asian Middle-Class Students to Germany. SAGE Open, January-March, 1–12.
Hyland, K. (2016). Teaching and Researching Writing (3rd ed.). London: Routledge.
Kimmel, K., Volet, S. (2010). University Students’ Perceptions of and Attitudes Towards Culturally Diverse Group Work. Journal of Studies in International Education, 16 (2), 157–181.
Liu, C. (2021). The Application of Habermas' Theory of Communication Action to the Work of College’s Counselors. Frontiers in Educational Research, 4 (9), 90–95.
Ma, R. (2024). Habitus and Cultural Capital in Higher Education: Chinese Students' Academic and Cultural Adaptation at UK Universities. Transactions on Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, 7, 126–133.
Presbitero, A. (2016). Culture shock and reverse culture shock: The moderating role of cultural intelligence in international students’ adaptation. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 53, 28–38.
Smith, R. A., Khawaja, N. G. (2011). A review of the acculturation experiences of international students. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 35 (6), 699–713.
Thomas, W.I., Znaniecki, F. (1927). The Polish Peasant in Europe and America. New York: Alfred A Knopf.
Volet, S. E., Ang, G. (1998). Culturally mixed groups on international campuses: An opportunity for intercultural learning. Higher Education Research and Development, 17 (1), 5–23.
Wang, D. (2022). The Cross-Cultural Academic Adaptation of Chinese Students in an American University: Academic Challenges, Influential Factors and Coping Strategies. Research in Social Sciences, 5 (1), 43–53.
Ward, C., Bochner, S., Furnham, A. (2008). The psychology of culture shock (2nd ed.). London: Routledge.
Wilczewski, M., Alon, I. (2022). Language and communication in international students’ adaptation: a bibliometric and content analysis review. Higher Education, 85 (4), 1–22.
Wu, H., Garza, E., Guzman, N. (2015). International Student’s Challenge and Adjustment to College. Education Research International, 20, 1–9.
Yeh, C. J., Inose, M. (2003). International students' reported English fluency, social support satisfaction, and social connectedness as predictors of acculturative stress. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 16 (1), 15–28.