An Analysis of How Anxiety and Uncertainty Theory Affect Undergraduate Students’ Intercultural Communication Skills in a Multicultural University

• Main Author: Daniels, Kathleen
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-2023
• Subjects: Communication; Educational leadership; Higher education; Multicultural Education
• ISBN: 9798379952617

Cultural competency and intercultural communication have gained more attention in the global workforce market as employers increasingly find intercultural communication skills in short supply among graduate hires. This study explored college students’ awareness of their intercultural communication experiences. This study aimed to assess students’ intercultural communication skills using Gudykunst’s anxiety and uncertainty management theory and whether intercultural communication should be implemented throughout the college curriculum. Using explorative phenomenology, qualitative data were collected from third- and fourth-year college students through interviews. Data were coded into three themes: (a) intercultural interactions conducted through intercultural competence and sensitivity, (b) comfortability with intercultural communication, and (c) university contributions to student preparedness for intercultural communication.The first theme revealed that students define intercultural communication as effective communication, understanding different cultures, and accepting cultural diversity. Further, intercultural competency and sensitivity require exposure to various cultural groups and characteristics such as open-mindedness, empathy, and patience. The second theme revealed that the comfort level in intercultural communication depends on prior level of exposure to various cultural groups; ease of communication associated with low tension, stress, and anxiety; subconscious cultural differences; and exposure, acceptance, the environment, and different values, beliefs, and viewpoints. Coding from the last theme indicated that students felt a lack of university emphasis on intercultural communication within the curriculum. This lack of focus on and teaching about intercultural interactions may make students feel underprepared for intercultural communication in the work environment. Students believe intercultural communication should be taught as part of the curriculum. This research suggests that intercultural communication is needed at the college level to increase students’ intercultural communication skills to prepare them for a diverse workforce.