Free-response self-description as a predictor of success and failure in adolescent exchange students

Van den Broucke, Stephan [UCL] De Soete, G. [] Böhrer, A. []

A free-response self-description method for personality assessment is examined with respect to its validity to predict overseas success or failure in an educational exchange program. From the self-descriptions of adolescent exchange students who have either successfully or unsuccessfully adjusted to an unfamiliar culture, scores are derived on seven trait dimensions and on social desirability. Additional information regarding the subjects' personality, motivation, and adaptability was obtained through three provisional questionnaires. Correlations between these predictors and the criterion success/failure as well as a multiple regression analysis revealed that the scales used in the free-response self-description technique are the better predictors of success or failure overseas. The importance of interactional and developmental factors to attain success are demonstrated in the sample. It is concluded that the free-response self-description method is informative for predicting success in an overseas educational exchange program. © 1989.