Cultural Identity, Acculturation, and Academic Performance among Ethnically Diverse University Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19685362Keywords:
Cultural Identity, Acculturation, Academic Performance, Ethnic Diversity, Multicultural Integration, Student AdaptationAbstract
Purpose: The aim of the study is to examine how cultural identity and acculturation affect Pakistani university students from a various ethnic backgrounds' academic achievement.
Design/ Methodology / Approach: 207 students from university of Sargodha participated in a quantitative cross-sectional survey, applying structured questionnaires. The data was analyzed through SPSS, by applying Pearson correlation and aggression analysis.
Findings: There are strong positive correlations between academic achievement and cultural identification (r = 0.62) and acculturation (r = 0.59). Motivation is predicted by cultural identification (? = 0.41), however involvement is negatively impacted by acculturation challenges (? = -0.33)
Implications/Originality/Value: The study highlights culturally inclusive policies to improve academic achievements in varied educational contexts and presents empirical data from Pakistan.
References
Adamu, A. Y. (2023). Student ethnic diversity management in Ethiopian universities: practices, challenges, and way forward. Higher Education, 86(6), 1325-1340.
Ahmed, S., Bakhtiar, R., Akbar, H., Aysha, S., Sultan, A., & Danish, S. (2024). Exploring The Influence Of Cultural And Societal Factors On Student Success And Retention In Pakistani Higher Education. Migration Letters, 21(S9), 806-815.
Ali, S., Sarker, M. F. H., Islam, M. S., Islam, M. K., & Al Mahmud, R. (2021). Pursuing higher education: Adaptation challenges and coping strategies of rural students at urban universities in Bangladesh. Tertiary Education and Management, 27(2), 91-106.
Aziz, M. S. (2024). The cultural diversity of Pakistan: Heritage, traditions, and modern influences. SIWAYANG Journal: Publikasi Ilmiah Bidang Pariwisata, Kebudayaan, dan Antropologi, 3(3), 105-114.
Baumert, J., Becker, M., Jansen, M., & Köller, O. (2024). Cultural identity and the academic, social, and psychological adjustment of adolescents with immigration background. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 53(2), 294-315.
Cormo?, V. C. (2022). The processes of adaptation, assimilation and integration in the country of migration: A psychosocial perspective on place identity changes. Sustainability, 14(16), 10296.
Faiz, F. A. (2024). Understanding Cultural Identity in a Globalized World. Journal of Social Signs Review, 2(01), 10-18.
Fatima, M., & Niazi, L. (2024). Relationship Between Acculturation Difficulty, Coping Skills, and Psychological Wellbeing Among Young Adults. Pakistan Journal of Psychological Research, 9(1).
Green-Johnson, F. Y. (2025). Overcoming Barriers to Learning: The Impact of Marginalization on Student Achievement. In The Power of Social and Emotional Learning for Student Success (pp. 21-42). IGI Global Scientific Publishing.
Guberina, T. (2023). Cultivating inclusive learning environments: Incorporating diversity through culturally responsive pedagogy. Social Science Chronicle, 2(1), 1-14.
Haque, A. F. M. A. (2024). The Cultural Mediation of the Margin York University].
Herdian, H., Wulandari, D. A., Hasanah, U., Suwarti, S., Nuryana, Z., Nirmalawati, W., Junizar, J., & Borhan, L. (2025). The impact of multigroup ethnic identity and collective self-esteem on college students' mental health: a structural equation modeling approach. Community Psychology in Global Perspective, 11(2), 66.
Hugur, M. A., & Alajlan, A. CULTURAL ADAPTATION AND SOCIAL INTEGRATION OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AT INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD.
Kadir, A. M. (2024). Does Acculturative Stress Always Lead to Negative Outcomes? Understanding the Role Acculturative Stress Plays in Fostering Social Behaviors and Improved Well-Being Among International Students Pace University].
Karim, S. (2021). Acculturation in a globalised world: Implications for theory and educational policy and practice. International journal of comparative education and development, 23(1), 44-58.
Kawsar, M. (2022). To what extent is Performance Management empowering a better educational experience in the Pakistani secondary school sector? Liverpool John Moores University (United Kingdom).
Khan, I., Ullah, W., & Ahmad, A. H. (2025). Cultural Pluralism and National Identity in Pakistan: Harmony or Fragmentation. ASSAJ, 3(02), 87-95.
Ladson-Billings, G. (2021). Culturally relevant pedagogy: Asking a different question. Teachers College Press.
Liao, J. (2023). Post-compulsory educational opportunities for migrant pupils in urban China: listening to the voices of migrant pupils and those close to them (parents, teaching staff and local pupils)–towards a social justice approach.
Malik, N., Zafar, Z., Rizwan, M., & Bilal, A. (2025). Adaptation and Integration of Pakistani Students of Higher Education Institutions in China. The Critical Review of Social Sciences Studies, 3(1), 3034-3046.
Meca, A., Allison, K., Cruz, B., Wright, A., Gonzales-Backen, M., & Scury, M. (2023). Cultural identity development among ethnic-racial minorities: An examination of ethnic-racial identity, national identity, and biculturalism. In (Vol. 2, pp. 79-92): Elsevier.
Murtaza, K. G., & Hui, L. (2021). Higher education in Pakistan: challenges, opportunities, suggestions. Education Quarterly Reviews, 4(2).
Oluwatosin, A., & Rojak, J. A. (2023). The Role of Cultural Identity to build Social Cohesion: Challenges, Implications, and Integration Strategies in Multicultural Societies. Bulletin of Science, Technology and Society, 2(1), 56-62.
Phinney, J. S., Berry, J. W., Vedder, P., & Liebkind, K. (2022). The acculturation experience: Attitudes, identities, and behaviors of immigrant youth. In Immigrant youth in cultural transition (pp. 71-118). Routledge.
RASHID, M. (2025). CULTURAL RESPONSIVENESS IN EDUCATION: A VIEW OF MINORITY STUDENTS’CLASSROOM PARTICIPATION AND INTENDED LEARNING EFFORTS.
Safdar, S., Waqar, Y., & Muhammad, Y. (2024). Embracing diversity: The role of multicultural education in mitigating ethnic conflict & fostering unity in Pakistan. JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES DEVELOPMENT, 3(3), 52-63.
Shah, Q. A., Anwer, N., Qazi, A., & Shah, J. A. (2022). From Human Acculturation to Brand Acculturation: A Phenomenological Perspective of University Students of Pakistan. Pakistan Business Review.
Shah, S. N. A. (2025). The Rise of Ethnic Nationalism and Its Implications for Pakistan’s Multi-Ethnic Future. Political Horizons, 3(1), 43-53.
Siddiqui, K. A., Asad, M. M., & Rind, A. A. (2025). Learners’ attitudes toward language education based on cultural identities: global citizenship agenda in higher education institutions of Pakistan. Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, 17(5), 1708-1727.
Sruthi, S., & KP, S. M. (2024). Cultural Adaptation in Educational Systems: Strategies for Integrating Diverse Cultural Values. ISHAL PAITHRKAM(39).
Sutrisno, S. (2023). Changes in media consumption patterns and their implications for people's cultural identity. Technology and Society Perspectives (TACIT), 1(1), 18-25.
Tanveer, I., & Malik, G. M. (2025). Exploring the Role of Gender Stereotypes, Career Aspirations, and Self-Efficacy Among Higher Education Students in Punjab, Pakistan. Journal of Political Stability Archive, 3(3), 1463-1481.
van der Zee, K., & van Oudenhoven, J. P. (2022). Towards a dynamic approach to acculturation. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 88, 119-124.
Walsh, L., & Cooney, T. (2023). Understanding the interplay between immigrant nascent entrepreneurship and cross-cultural adaptation. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 30(5), 919-946.
Waqar, A., Khan, M. M., ul Abidin, M. Z., & Khan, M. A. (2025). SOCIAL SUPPORT AND STUDENT ADAPTATION: ACCULTURATION EXPERIENCES OF INTERNAL MIGRANTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SARGODHA. Contemporary Journal of Social Science Review, 3(3), 165-176.
Weber, T., & Van Mol, C. (2023). The student migration transition: an empirical investigation into the nexus between development and international student migration. Comparative Migration Studies, 11(1), 5.
Zheng, K. (2024). Regional Cultural Integration and Innovation in Environmental Design: Exploring Strategies to Maintain and Inherit Regional Cultural Values in the Context of Globalization. Cultura: International Journal of Philosophy of Culture and Axiology, 21(3).
???????????, ?. (2024). ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH DIRECTIONS OF THEORIES OF ETHNIC IDENTITY. «Qazaq Journal of Young Scientist» ??????????? ?????? ???????, 2(6-9), 28-40.