Hamed Parvaz, Seyed Samad Beheshti, Ramin Moradi,
Volume 22, Issue 1 (10-2024)
Abstract
Background and Aim: This study aimed to investigate whether cultural intelligence, a construct measure of individuals' capacity to adjust to new surroundings and different cultures, has an effect on their social functioning and effective communication with others, ultimately influencing their overall social health.
Materials and Methods: This research was a quantitative survey conducted on a sample of 380 individuals aged 15 years and above selected by multi-stage sampling in Yasouj city, Iran using a questionnaire.
Results: Data analysis showed that the research population possessed higher levels of cultural intelligence and social health compared to the average levels, there being no difference between men and women. Married individuals were found to have higher averages of cultural intelligence and social health compared to single individuals. While there was no correlation between age and social health, there was a positive correlation between age and cultural intelligence.
Testing the hypotheses revealed that various dimensions of cultural intelligence had direct and positive associations with social health. Cultural intelligence with a standard regression coefficient of 0.372 accounted for approximately 14% of the changes in social health; age did not have an intervening effect on the relationship between these two variables.
Conclusion: Overall, the findings of this study indicate that individuals with higher levels of cultural intelligence possess a greater ability to understand and accept other individuals’ perspectives, this leading ultimately to enhanced societal engagement and interpersonal interactions. Consequently, this heightened cultural intelligence positively impacts their overall social health.
