The Psychology Behind Reverse Culture Shock and Its Long-Term Effects

Reverse culture shock is a very hard-to-understand psychological process that can make an individual feel alienated in their own country, struggling with displacement and identity confusion. For many people who have spent years away from their home country, it is envisioned that upon returning home, it will feel like a warm embrace, filled with familiarity and a sense of connection.  But for a significant number of people, homecoming isn’t that straightforward. Instead, they encounter an unexpected and often disorienting phenomenon. 

This article will delve deeper into the psychology behind reverse culture shock and its long-term effects, exploring its common signs and the underlying cognitive and emotional processes that happen during this process.

What is Reverse Culture Shock?

Reverse culture shock, which is also known as repatriation shock or re-entry shock, is a psychological and emotional distress that some individuals go through upon returning to their home country after staying abroad for years. Traditional culture shock means adapting to a new, unfamiliar environment, but reverse culture shock suggests readapting to an environment which is familiar, but in reality it has changed, and so the individuals have changed too.

The core reasons for this disorientation are the re-entry myth that includes the unspoken expectations that things will be the same as one left, and not being open to the changes. 

However, this is not the case; things change, both the home and the individual have evolved. The individual has gone through significant personal growth, their perspectives have broadened, and values have potentially shifted because of international experience. With that, their home country has simultaneously followed its own path of changes in social norms, technological advancements, landscape, and minor shifts in everyday life. This created a rift between the individuals’ idealised memory of their country and the reality of its present state. 

The common indications of reverse culture shock are: feelings of alienation and isolation, criticism of home culture, idealisation of the host culture, difficulty articulating experiences, and changes in values and priorities.

Identity, Expectations and Loss

The basis of psychology behind reverse culture shock is varied, involving issues of identity, a subtle sense of loss, as well as unfulfilled expectations. While the individuals are abroad, they construct a new sense of self, adapting their behaviours, their core beliefs of the host culture, as well as how they communicate changes.

This new ‘international identity’ is accepted by the individual, which changes how they are. Upon returning home, they might not find that their new self doesn’t fit their old environment. This creates an identity crisis where the individual finds it hard to understand who they are now versus who they were before. The individual who left is not the same when he returns; the struggle to accept these identities can be unsettling.

Expectations play a crucial role. When the individual returns, he has set expectations which are often idealised expectations of his home and expects immediate comfort and understanding and a seamless transition to their old life. When this doesn’t happen, the expectations and reality create disappointment and trigger frustration and anger. Friends and family who have lived their whole life in their own country might not fully understand this transition or understand what it is like living abroad, which might make the conversation dismissive and superficial, further fueling the emotions of disconnect.

The profound sense of loss comes with reverse culture shock. It isn’t just the loss of the host country but also the disconnect between experiences, friendships, family, routine and even the person they were while abroad. The grieving process of life that was once meaningful, rich and the challenge lies in mixing those experiences into a new reality without diminishing their significance. The loss of a global point of view or the emotion of being ‘different’ can be painful. 

Long-Term Effects and How To Deal With Them

The long-term effects of unaddressed reverse culture shock can be important, ranging from chronic feelings of detachment and dissatisfaction to more serious psychological issues like anxiety and depression. If individuals are unable to successfully find their way to this re-entry period, they may find it difficult to fully engage with their home life, relationships, and careers. This can indicate a persistent sense of restlessness, a will to return abroad, or a feeling of being ‘between worlds‘. In some cases, it can even lead to unhealthy or strained relationships as friends and family find it difficult to understand or support the individual’s struggles.

However, reverse culture shock isn’t an insurmountable problem. There are different ways an individual can deal with these problems, or we can help someone who is dealing with those problems. Acknowledging and validating feelings goes a long way. Recognising the problems that an individual is facing and accepting them as something normal can lead to the first step towards coping. Seeking support from family and friends who have undergone the same experience as the individual can give you invaluable validation and a sense of community. Practising self-compassion by being compassionate to yourself, as adjusting takes time and effort.

Conclusion

Reverse culture shock is a very popular example of the transformative power of international experience. It can be a hard and challenging period for the individual to adjust and go through the psychological emotions. Evolving identities, unfulfilled expectations, and a sense of loss are very hard to navigate successfully. Understanding and acknowledging the complexities of re-entry, engaging in adaptive strategies, and seeking support can help the individual transform this period of disorientation and make it a powerful tool for themselves by fostering deeper self-awareness and an open, globally-minded existence. The journey back home, often unforeseen in its difficulties, contributes to a richer and more refined understanding of self and the world.

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