Developing Brief Versions of the Suinn­Lew Asian Self­Identity Acculturation (SL­ASIA) Scale for Counseling Research

Abstract

PURPOSE. The goal of the present article is to create two five­item brief forms of the Suinn­Lew Asian Self­Identity Acculturation Scale (SL­ASIA), compare the forms for reliability and validity, and make a recommendation as to which form is better and/or more appropriate for use. METHODOLOGY. Data from two data sets (University of Illinois and University of Washington) were used in this study. The ITC brief form (Item­Total Correlation Form) and the CFL brief form (Cross­Factor Loading Form) were created for each data set. Reliability analyses (i.e. Cronbach's alpha) were conducted for the forms in each of the two studies. Differential construct vailidity was examined by comparing each brief form to target variables in each of the data sets. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS. Reliability analyses of the SL­ASIA administered at the University of Illinois indicated that the SL­ASIA, ITC brief form, and CFL brief form were all internally consistent. The three scales were also shown to be highly correlated with each other. Differential concurrent validity was assessed by comparing the ITC and CFL forms to target variables (negative social­network orientation, individualism, and attitude toward seeking professional psychological help). It was found that both versions of the brief SL­ASIA had similar correlations to the target variables as the full scale SL­ASIA. Reliability analyses of the SL­ASIA administered at the University of Washington indicated that the SL­ASIA, ITC brief form, and CFL brief form were all internally consistent. The three scales were also shown to be highly correlated with each other. Differential constuct validity was assessed by comparing the ITC and CFL forms to target variables (counseling orientations: behavioral, client­centered, existential, gestalt, Freudian, rational­emotive, and trait factor). As with the University of Illinois data set, both versions of the brief SL­ASIA had similar correlations to the target variables as the full scale SL­ASIA in this data set, providing even further evidence of their concurrent validity. CONCLUSIONS. It is possible to develop two reliable and valid brief versions of the SL­ASIA in order to encourage more research to use the acculturation variable. We recommend that researchers who need a short form of an acculturation scale for Asian Americans use either version of the brief SL­ASIA. Both have adequate levels of reliability and are highly correlated to the full scale. Neither version has a clear advantage over the other. RELEVANCE TO ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER POPULATIONS. This article is particularly relevant to Asian American college student populations. KEY WORDS. Acculturation, Mental Health