Evaluation of a Tool to Measure the Demands of Immigration

Abstract

Background: The Demands of Immigration (DI) scale consists of six subscales and is designed to measure demands that negatively affect emotional health of immigrants.

Purpose: The purpose of this review is to (a) examine the DI scale's language versions and translation procedures; and (b) evaluate reliability and validity of the DI scale based on studies subsequent to its initial development.

Methods: Published studies were identified through CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE, Social Sciences Premium Collection and PsycInfo.

Results: Seventeen quantitative studies reported the DI scale's reliability (internal consistency and test-retest) and/or validity (content and construct). Correlations among the DI subscales and key variables (e.g., job satisfaction, acculturation, depression, perceived support, and resilience) support its construct validity.

Conclusion: The DI scale is a reliable and valid tool for measuring demands or challenges that immigrants face.

Keywords: demands of immigration; psychometric; reliability; scales; validity.