Evaluation of a generic brief acculturation scale in a sample of male enlisted naval personnel

Clin Nurse Spec. 2008 Jul-Aug;22(4):172-8. doi: 10.1097/01.NUR.0000311705.38404.14.

Abstract

This study examined the reliability and validity of the 3-item Generic Brief Acculturation Scale (GBAS). The GBAS was administered as a part of a larger Navy Health Behavior Survey of male enlisted personnel deployed on aircraft carriers. Analyses are reported here for the subsample for whom English was a second language (n = 529, 15% of original sample). Generic Brief Acculturation Scale reliability was assessed with internal consistency. Validity was assessed using t test and correlation. Results supported reliability and validity: Cronbach alpha was .81, mean GBAS scores for US-born participants were significantly higher than that for foreign born (P < .05), and GBAS scores were positively correlated with generation (r = 0.34). Additional research with civilian populations is needed, but these findings suggest that the GBAS could be useful either as a quick screen in clinical practice to determine when a translator may be needed or to guide decision making regarding health promotion programming.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Acculturation*
  • Adult
  • Cultural Diversity
  • Emigration and Immigration
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Military Personnel*
  • Psychometrics