As Third Culture Kids mature they become Adult Third Culture Kids (ATCKs), some ATCKs come to terms with issues such as culture shock and a sense of not belonging while others struggle with these for their entire lives. According to statistics, 90% of TCKs feel "out of sync" with their peers.

The Challenge

A psychological sense of belonging is a greater predictor of major depression than other factors commonly associated with depression, such as social support, conflict and loneliness, according to a new University of Michigan School of Nursing study.

"Researchers tend to focus much of their attention on social support, but we found that a low sense of belonging was a much stronger predictor of depression than social support," said Reg A. Williams, associate professor of nursing and co-author of the study that appears in the July/August issue of Nursing Research

Read forum posts from TCKs

1. Am I a TCK or Cross Cultural Kid?
2. How do I belong anywhere?
3. I blend in, but no one really knows me. Is this typical of TCKs, or do I just need therapy?
4. Do TCKs fit anywhere or are we all weirdos?
5. Why is it so important for me to be FROM somewhere?
6. Is it common to feel older than your age?

The solution: How can Third Culture Kids belong?

Learn about Belonging

What is a sense of belonging and how do you get it? And if you never had a sense of belonging, can you ever get it?

Watch this video interview with expert Donna Musil, filmmaker of Brats: Our Journey Home, and Paulette bethel on Third culture kids and belonging, presented by Brice Royer from TCK Academy.

What is a sense of belonging?

McMillan & Chavis (1986) define Sense of Community as “a feeling that members have of belonging, a feeling that members matter to one another and to the group, and a shared faith that members’ needs will be met through their commitment to be together.”

Four elements of Sense of Community

There are four elements of "Sense of Community" according to the McMillan & Chavis theory:

Membership

Membership includes five attributes:

• Boundaries
• Emotional safety
• A sense of belonging and identification
• Personal investment
• A common symbol system

Influence

Influence works both ways: members need to feel that they have some influence in the group, and some influence by the group on its members is needed for group cohesion.

Integration and fulfillment of needs

Members feel rewarded in some way for their participation in the community.

Shared emotional connection

The "definitive element for true community" (1986, p. 14), it includes shared history and shared participation (or at least identification with the history).

Take Action: Meet People Like You.

Join TCKID.

This community is about you. Sign up to show your support for TCKs and stay informed. It’s free, and supported by people like you.

Join a Local Group

Many of us go about our daily lives not knowing what’s going on in our area or the people who live around us. TCK Local Community Leaders dispel that isolation by bringing people together online and, more importantly, in the real world.

People step forward to run TCK groups because they want to make a difference in their own lives as well as the lives of others. They want to enrich, expand, and share their experiences. You’ll be able to:

• Build a Sense of Belonging and Community

• Share Knowledge

• Building Friendships

• Strengthening Communities

• Effective Change

Learn why TCKs support TCKID

TCKID is amazing and addicting!.

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