Which of the following is a critical predictor of cross-cultural adjustment?

Emotion regulation is indeed a critical predictor of cross-cultural adjustment because it encompasses an individual's ability to manage and respond to their own emotions, as well as understand and respond to the emotions of others. This skill is vital when navigating new cultural environments, where social norms and communication styles may differ significantly from what one is accustomed to. Effective emotion regulation allows individuals to cope with stress, maintain interpersonal relationships, and engage positively with their new surroundings, thereby facilitating a smoother transition and adaptation in cross-cultural contexts.

In contrast, while physical appearance, language fluency, and personal wealth may influence one's experience in a new culture, they do not encapsulate the fundamental adaptive mechanisms required for successful adjustment. Language fluency, for example, certainly aids communication but does not ensure emotional resilience in the face of cultural challenges. Similarly, personal wealth may provide resources for navigating a new culture but does not address the internal emotional processes that are key to overcoming the psychological barriers often encountered in cross-cultural interactions.