Enhancing cross-cultural well-being: a mixed methods study on critical thinking, cultural intelligence, and eudaimonic well-being in arts students' cultural identity development.

Introduction: This research explores the role of critical thinking and cultural intelligence in psychological well-being through the lens of cultural identity development. It aims to understand how individuals think critically and navigate different cultural challenges that influence their psychological wellbeing. Methods: The quantitative analysis utilizes various scales to elucidate the correlation between critical thinking beliefs, cultural intelligence, and well-being. The qualitative exploration employing NVivo 20.0 uncovers the interplay between critical thinking, cultural intelligence, and well-being in the construction of cultural identity and psychological selfhood. Results: The research results show a significant positive correlation between critical thinking, cultural intelligence, and psychological well-being. Themes such as well-being, cultural intelligence, critical thinking, and facing challenges illustrate how individuals navigate obstacles to achieve a meaningful and purposeful life. The findings from both the quantitative and qualitative analyses provide a comprehensive understanding of how critical thinking, cultural intelligence, and well-being intersect and influence individuals' perceptions of themselves and their cultural identities. Discussion: The research results suggest that developing critical thinking and cultural intelligence positively impacts individuals' psychological well-being in cultural identity development. This can lead to greater belonging and acceptance in diverse cultural settings.