Cultural Distance and Social Needs: The Dynamic Adjustment Mechanisms of Social Support Among Newly Arrived Students in Hong Kong.

Abstract

Based on questionnaire data and in-depth interviews with newly arrived students (NAS) from mainland China, this study investigates the construction of their social networks and the mechanisms through which they access social support in the context of migration. Drawing on Berry's acculturation theory, Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, and Bourdieu's concept of social capital, this study provides a theoretically grounded analysis of how NAS balance cultural distance and social needs. The findings reveal that NAS do not form social connections uniformly; rather, they strategically allocate social resources according to the degree of homophily and the strength of social ties. Specifically, weak ties with mainland peers-characterized by high cultural homophily-primarily offer emotional support; strong ties with local Hong Kong peers-marked by low homophily but high interaction frequency-mainly serve instrumental needs such as academic assistance and daily companionship; while strong ties with Hong Kong peers of mainland background combine both emotional and instrumental support, functioning as a core relational bridge in the NAS's adaptation process. These three types of relationships form a complementary structure within NAS's social networks. Reliability and validity tests further confirmed that four items (social satisfaction, peer attitude, sense of belonging, integration/adaptation) provide a coherent measure of social integration. The study suggests that NAS's social practices are not merely about "integration" or "alienation," but rather represent a dynamic strategy of balancing relational costs, cultural distance, and practical needs in the operation of social capital and characterised by dynamic negotiation and contextual adjustment.