COMING HOME TO THE ARCTIC COLD: ANTECEDENTS TO FINNISH EXPATRIATE AND SPOUSE REPATRIATION ADJUSTMENT

<jats:p>Building on repatriation adjustment research for U.S. managers and spouses, this study is one of the first to identify potential cross‐cultural differences by assessing these processes theoretically and empirically in a non‐U.S. sample. Focusing on Finnish expatriates and spouses, this study examined anticipatory and in‐country variables related to work, interaction, and general repatriation adjustment. Specifically, time overseas, time since returning home, role discretion, and role clarity were significant correlates of Finnish repatriates' work adjustment. Time overseas, culture novelty, and social status correlated significantly with repatriates' adjustment to interacting with home country nationals. Time overseas and time back home correlated significantly with repatriate' general adjustment. For Finnish repatriates' spouses, time back home, culture novelty, and housing conditions correlated significantly with adjustment to interacting with home country nationals. For spouses' general adjustment, time overseas, time back home, culture novelty, and housing conditions were significant correlates. Implications of these findings for researchers and practitioners are explored.</jats:p><jats:p>Coming back home was more difficult than going abroad because I had expected changes when going overseas. During repatriation it was real culture shock! I felt like an alien in my own country. Surprisingly, I was totally unprepared for the long, harsh, cold, dark Arctic winter. My attitudes had changed so much that it was difficult to understand Finnish customs. Old friends had moved, had children, or just vanished. Others were interested in our experiences, but only sort of. Most simply could not understand our overseas experience or just envied our way of life. (Finnish Spouse returning from Australia)</jats:p>