Person-environment fit and proactive socialization: Reciprocal relationships in an academic environment

Based on the conservation of resources perspective of person-environment (P-E) fit, the present research integrates P-E fit theory with the socialization literature to examine lagged reciprocal relationships between student-university fit and proactive socialization behaviors (i.e., feedback seeking, relationship building with instructors, general socializing, and positive framing). A six-month longitudinal study of 428 freshmen in a Chinese university revealed that relationship building with instructors and positive framing were positively related to subsequent student-university fit, while student-university fit was positively related to subsequent relationship building with instructors, general socializing, and positive framing. Both relationship building with instructors and positive framing had reciprocal relationships with student-university fit. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed.