Navigating personal space in Pakistan
A study of proxemics in intercultural communication
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19217809 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Syed Waqas Anjum (0009-0002-8112-5472, Yangzhou University, corresponding author), Yi-Xiang Wang (0000-0001-5697-0717, Yangzhou University), Wang Jinquan |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 113 |
| Pages | 102430-102430 |
| Publication date | 2026-05-30 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Intercultural Relations (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0147-1767 • E-ISSN: 1873-7552 |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.ijintrel.2026.102430 |
| OpenAlex | W7162869315 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 11 |
This study examines proxemic behavior in Pakistan, focusing on the complex interplay of cultural, historical, and socio-economic factors shaping perceptions of personal space. With a multicultural composition of over 70 ethnic groups and a history influenced by Islamic traditions, colonialism, and post-colonial modernization, Pakistan provides a unique backdrop for studying proxemics in a non-Western context. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study gathered data from 2812 participants through surveys and 50 in-depth interviews. The findings highlight significant variations in proxemic preferences across demographic factors, including age, gender, and geographic location. Urbanization and globalization are reshaping proxemic behaviors, with urban residents adopting more Western norms, while rural participants maintain closer proximity due to collectivist cultural values. Gendered differences also emerge, with females preferring more personal space in public and professional settings than males. This research challenges existing Eurocentric models of proxemics, contributing to the decolonization of intercultural communication theory. It emphasizes the need for culturally nuanced communication strategies and underscores how socio-cultural forces shape proxemic behaviors differently from Western contexts
Collectivism · Cultural diversity · Ethnic group · Intercultural communication · Multiculturalism · Perception · Personal space · Proxemics · Cultural Differences and Values · International Student and Expatriate Challenges · Public Relations and Crisis Communication
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Understating South Asia interculturally and communicatively
Urban Pakistan and women’s mobility in securitised Lahore
Addressing women's mobility challenges in the public transportation system of Lahore, Pakistan
Perceived social distance, socioeconomic status and adaptive residential mobility in urban China
Using thematic analysis in psychology
Preferred Interpersonal Distances
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |