The influence of selected demographic and biographical characteristics on the level of cultural intelligence among mid-level managers of home health care systems in the United States

Abstract

Disparities exist in health care quality among racial and ethnic minority groups. Minority Americans receive lower quality health care than non-minorities even after adjustment for insurance status and income. A leading cause of these disparities is the biases and prejudices of health care providers. The primary purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between levels of cultural intelligence (CQ) and selected demographic and biographical characteristics among mid-level managers of home health care systems throughout the United States. This research provides an understanding of factors influencing cultural intelligence among site directors in home health care. An examination of selected characteristics to determine their relationship with CQ revealed 13 variables related to overall cultural intelligence levels. International experience presented the strongest relationship with cultural intelligence, a finding consistent with prior literature. Regional variation was found between cultural intelligence levels of site directors in the East South Central division and the West South Central, South Atlantic, and Pacific divisions. Three clinical specialty areas including case management, general nursing practice, and nurse executive also related to cultural intelligence. Results found five models existed that explain a significant portion of the variance in each of four subscales and overall cultural intelligence levels. Characteristics that positively related in multiple models included prior international work experience and duration of international work and non-work experience. Prior clinical experience in general nursing positively correlated to cultural intelligence in four of the models, and a negative relationship between the East South Central division and cultural intelligence existed in four models. These results provide insight on antecedents of cultural intelligence and allow for greater understanding of cultural intelligence within the context of health care.