Japanese, Chinese, and American university students were compared regarding their communication apprehension across situational contexts (teacher and stranger). Self-regulatory focus (promotion and prevention foci) was investigated to see if they affect state communication apprehension, and the mediation role of self-regulatory focus on the relationship between culture and state communication apprehension was probed. A survey was conducted to collect a total of 943 samples from Japan (N = 267), China (N = 367), and the United States (N = 309). The results indicated significant differences among Japanese, Chinese, and Americans in their state communication apprehension and self-regulatory focus. Students in these three countries differentiated their anxiety more toward interpersonal status discrepancy. Promotion and prevention foci affected state communication apprehension and mediated the effect of culture on anxiety with communication targets. Discussion on self-regulatory focus as an explanatory framework for communication apprehension was raised.

The decision-making process for the use of pharmaceutical interventions in health communication scenarios can be complex, often involving multiple influences. One salient health issue that a mother-to-be would encounter is the decision-making in using pain control during labor. This study focused on people’s attitudes toward epidural analgesia (EA) in labor, comparing comments raised in Twitter and Weibo, in an attempt to delineate cultural differences in opinion pertaining to this issue. Sentiment and thematic content analyses were conducted over the course of one year. The results of these analyses suggest that, with the cultivation of policy and cultural discrepancies, the use of EA is a controversial and complicated topic over both platforms. Twitter users expressed a higher prevalence of negative emotions, while Weibo users were positive. Additionally, the narratives revealed the influence of perceptions of self-construal and female empowerment. Finally, the analyses highlighted the differing understandings of the concept of pain and medical intervention in different cultural contexts. The results indicate that the promotion of EA use for delivery remains a contentious issue that warrants further attention.

The present study examined the communication patterns and the adaptation experiences of Indonesian expatriates in South Korea. Based on Y. Y. Kim’s (1988, 2001, 2005, 2012, 2015, 2018) Integrative Communication Theory of Cross-Cultural Adaptation, four hypotheses were developed linking four key factors: host communication competence, host/ethnic interpersonal communication, and psychological health. Numeric data was collected in a questionnaire survey among Indonesian expatriates living in South Korea. As predicted, the results indicate that expatriates with higher levels of host communication competence and more active engagements in interpersonal communication with host nationals experience greater psychological health.

Minority community groups around the world have been disproportionately impacted by the social isolation imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This research paper examines the concept and outcomes of a pilot program designed to help restore wellbeing and social connection within culturally diverse communities in Melbourne, Australia. The pilot utilised the ‘Life as a Project’ (LIAP) concept model, based on theoretical foundations of interculturalism, positive psychology, social prescription and project-based learning. A guiding principle of learn global, act local, was adopted to source creative social solutions from diverse cultures. A field survey of 13 participants from 6 countries of origin explores the social impact of the LIAP language immersion and intercultural project framework. Key pilot outcomes include reduced social isolation, increased intercultural bridging, improved optimism, wellbeing and quality of life. The study concludes with views on sustainable social programs, civic support, global learning and ideas for further research.

Recently, the Hong Kong government’s use of mascots is becoming popular. Through the case study of Big Waster, the mascot of the Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department, this research aims to reveal strategies of deploying mascots on social media communication and their limitations. Big Waster has been personified as a Key Opinion Leader (KOL), who is defined as somebody who is an expert on a certain topic and whose opinions are well-respected, to share its environmental tips. This qualitative research applied McCracken’s (1989) meaning transfer model (MTM) to find out how meanings borne by Big Waster transferred to policies and ultimately people. Ten posts with altogether 2340 comments were selected from Big Waster’s Facebook account for close analysis. The findings reveal a particular strategy at each of the three MTM stages, namely, emotional engagement with audience through anthropomorphism at the pre-endorsement stage; timely parody of popular culture at the endorsement stage; and tactical use of social media to drive actions at the post-endorsement stage. Using the findings of this case study, future research could work towards guidelines for the public sector’s deployment of mascots on social media.

In the modern globalized world, international companies advertise their products and services to linguistically and culturally diverse audiences; therefore, they need to consider the cultural peculiarities of their target markets. This study explores and compares linguistic and cross-cultural advertising solutions of international car manufacturers Volkswagen and Fiat. A total of 457 advertisements were analyzed using semiotic analysis of visual and verbal elements reflecting Hofstede’s cultural dimensions. Customers’ reactions to specific advertisements were also studied through semi-structured interviews to evaluate the effect of the companies’ advertising solutions. The results show that Volkswagen and Fiat use different linguistic and marketing methods of advertising adaptation and rendering Hofstede’s cultural values. While some universal customer attitudes were identified, the results revealed the importance of culturally sensitive advertising and the role of social contexts.