AbstractThis study aimed to explore the mechanisms underlying the relationship between social media characteristics, perceived values, and cross-cultural adaptation among Chinese graduate students in Malaysia. Although previous cross-cultural studies have predominantly examined the effects of social media on cultural adaptation from an application-centred perspective, fewer past studies have examined the specific characteristics of social media and their influence on adaptation processes. With the advent of new communication technologies, cultural identities have been reinforced. They often exacerbate cultural differences and induce "culture shock" within cyberspace. This study employed a mixed-method research approach, integrating Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to develop a model explaining the role of social media characteristics and perceived value in cross-cultural adaptation. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire from 270 Chinese international s.....