Abstract
ObjectivesAcculturation is a multidimensional process involving changes in behaviour and beliefs. Questionnaires developed to measure acculturation are typically designed for specific ethnic populations and adult experiences. This study developed a questionnaire that measures acculturation among ethnically diverse populations of youth that can be included as a module in population surveys.MethodsQuestionnaires measuring acculturation in youth were identified in the literature. The importance of items from the existing questionnaires was determined using a Delphi process and this informed the development of our questionnaire. The questionnaire was then pilot tested using a sample of 248 Canadians aged 18–25 via an online system. Participants identified as East and South East Asian (27.8%), South Asian (17.7%) and Black (13.7%). The majority were 1st (33.5%) or 2nd generation immigrants (52.0%). After redundant items were eliminated, exploratory factor analysis grouped items into domains, and, for each domain, internal consistency, and convergent validity with immigrant generation then age at immigration estimated. A subset of participants re-completed the questionnaire for reliability estimation.ResultsThe literature review yielded 117 articles that used 13 questionnaires with a total of 440 questions. The Delphi process reduced these to 32 questions. Pilot testing occurred in 248 Canadians aged 18–25. Following item reduction, 16 questions in three domains remained: dominant culture, heritage language, and heritage culture. All had good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alphas > .75). The mean dominant domain score increased with immigrant generation (1st generation: 3.69 (95% CI: 3.49–3.89), 2nd: 4.13 (4.00–4.26), 3rd: 4.40 (4.19–4.61)), and mean heritage language score was higher among those who immigrated after age 12 than before (p = .0001), indicative of convergent validity.ConclusionsThis Bicultural Youth Acculturation Questionnaire has demonstrated validity. It can be incorporated into population health surveys to elucidate the impact of acculturation on health outcomes among bicultural youth.
Highlights
Acculturation occurs when two cultures meet, such as when an individual immigrates to a new country.[1]
The bidimensional theory of acculturation hypothesizes that this process occurs over two dimensions, with individuals finding a balance between retention of heritage culture and, separately, adoption of dominant culture norms and values along a series of domains, with the dominant culture defined as those who hold the language, social, and cultural norms of the “receiving society.”[1,7,8] Because of this complexity, proxy indicators for acculturation such as “immigrant generation” or “age at immigration” are often used as they are easier to obtain.[9,10]
Convergent validity and reliability estimates are reported for the final questionnaire
Summary
Acculturation occurs when two cultures meet, such as when an individual immigrates to a new country.[1]. In Canada and the United States, a large percentage of recent immigrants are from East and South East Asia, and South Asia (over 50% of all new immigrants to Canada).[17,18,19] One Canadian measure, the Vancouver Index of Acculturation, was developed for use among Chinese-American/Canadian youth.[20] this Index was developed to evaluate culturally specific outcomes, such as taijin kyofusho, a Japanese construct similar to social anxiety and how individuals from collectivist societies adapt to individualistic societies. Questionnaires need to be able to measure acculturation in individuals with diverse heritage culture norms and values in order to be practical, understandable, and informative. Once developed, these questionnaires can be used in large, populationbased surveys to assess the impact of acculturation on health behaviours and outcomes
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