TESTING A THEORETICAL-MODEL FOR EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FAMILY ADJUSTMENT AND EXPATRIATES WORK ADJUSTMENT

Based on theoretical perspectives from the work/family literature, thi s study tested a model for examining expatriate families' adjustment w hile on global assignments as an antecedent to expatriates' adjustment to working in a host country. Data were collected from 110 families t hat had been relocated for global assignments. Longitudinal data, asse ssing family characteristics before the assignment and cross-cultural adjustment approximately 6 months into the assignment, were coded. Thi s study found that family characteristics (family support, family comm unication, family adaptability) were related to expatriates' adjustmen t to working in the host country. As hypothesized, the families' cross -cultural adjustment mediated the effect of family characteristics on expatriates' host-country work adjustment.