Session Overview
Session
PA10: Cross-Cultural Assessment and Adaptation
Time:
Thursday, 23/Jul/2015:
4:30pm - 6:00pm

Session Chair: Isabel Benítez Baena
Location: KOL-G-221 (Ⅴ)
capacity: 84

Presentations

The assessment of bias between groups from different cultures speaking the same language

Isabel Benítez Baena1,2, José-Luis Padilla García1, Fons van de Vijver2,3,4

1University of Granada, Spain; 2Tilburg University, The Netherlands; 3University of Queensland, Australia; 4North-West University, South Africa; ibenitez@ugr.esibenitez@ugr.es

Numerous studies have been conducted aimed at discovering sources of bias in cross-cultural research. Translation issues have been targeted as one of the most impacting sources when developing different linguistic versions of tests and questionnaires. However, little is not known about sources of bias when groups involved are sharing the language. The aim of the study is to identify and investigate sources of bias when comparing groups from different cultures speaking the same language. Spanish speakers from Spain, Colombia and Mexico responded to “Quality of Life” (QoL) scales in their respective countries. In addition, immigrants with Spanish as mother tongue living in Spain also took part in the study. Responses to QoL scales were compared and inquired by conducting qualitative procedures with some of participants from those different groups. Results were integrated and conclusions about sources of bias are formulated in terms of cultural issues provoking differences between groups and elements of bias maintained and neutralized when living or not in the same country.

Exploring the relationship between the Greek taxonomic study and the HEXACO personality structure in a Greek population sample

Christoforos Thomadakis1, Ioannis Tsaousis2

1Hellenic National Defence General Staff, Greece,; 2University of Crete, Greece; christthomad@gmail.comchristthomad@gmail.com

The study of personality has received an increased research discussion within the Big Five domain and how personality domains can be summarized and explained within this era. However, recent studies have brought up a newer, more representative structure called the HEXACO, which consists of six rather than five dimensions. Under this perspective, the aim of this study was to explore the emergence of the HEXACO personality model in the Greek culture. Using the initial Greek taxonomic work by Saucier et al., (2005), we attempted to identify whether the HEXACO model could be replicated. The sample consisted of 3400 individuals candidates (ages 18-21 years old) for the Greek Military academies, also refered to as young cadets. Adopting modern psychometric techniques (i.e. EFA and CFA) we found that a six-factor solution best represents the data from the Greek sample. The results from this analysis suggest that this six-dimensional structure of personality is similar to the HEXACO model verified in other cultures. The results from this analysis could help both practitioners and researchers to assess personality characteristics in a variety of organizational settings using a comprehensive theoretical framework.

Psychological distress among low-income U.S.- and foreign-born women of Mexican descent: Impact of acculturation

Venera Bekteshi1, Qingwen XU2, Thanh Tran3

1University of Illinois, USA; 2Tulane University, USA; 3Boston College, USA; venerab@illinois.eduvenerab@illinois.edu

After testing the capacity of Kessler’s psychological distress (K6) scale to measure equally across low-income Mexican-born women and U.S.-born women of Mexican descent, this study assessed the impact of acculturation on this group’s psychological distress. Using the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) 2007, we involved 1,138 low-income Mexican women, 319 born in U.S. and 819 born in Mexico. We employed descriptive and confirmatory factor analyses to test the cross-cultural equivalence of K6. Multivariate and logistic regression were used to test the association between acculturation and psychological distress among all participants. The key statistics which determined the cross-cultural equivalence of K6 were χ2 (>0.05), Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) (<0.05), Tucker Lewis Index (TLI) and Comparative Fit Index (> .90). The cross-cultural equivalence analysis demonstrated that some of the scale’s items had the capacity to measure psychological distress equally among participants. Regression indicated that the more acculturated these women became, the greater their psychological distress.The study recommends that researchers emphasize the cross-cultural equivalence of their measures and suggests a heightened awareness among practitioners of the multidimensional impact of acculturation on well-being of their clients.