Measuring Cultural Competencies: The Development and Validation of a Revised Measure of Sociocultural Adaptation

Abstract

This research extends our work on the conceptualization and measurement of cultural competencies with a revised bifactor measurement model of sociocultural adaptation (the Revised Sociocultural Adaptation Scale [SCAS-R]). Study 1 describes the initial development and validation of the SCAS-R with its Social Interaction, Community Engagement, and Ecological Adaptability domains of cultural competencies based on a mixed sample of short- and long-term migrants (N = 316). The construct validity of the revised scale was supported by significant correlations with social difficulties as assessed by the original Sociocultural Adaptation Scale; generic social skills; cultural intelligence; cultural engagement; international adjustment; and psychological adaptation: life satisfaction and depression. The bifactor model was confirmed in Study 2 with a sample of international students (N = 1,527). Results converged with previously established links between sociocultural adaptation and background variables (e.g., language proficiency), psychological adaptation, and situational factors such as cultural distance and perceived discrimination. Study 3 confirmed the predictive and incremental validity of the SCAS-R by investigating the influence of cultural competence on migration decision making in a varied sample of newly arrived migrants in New Zealand (N = 184). Cultural competence as assessed by the SCAS-R significantly explained additional variance in immigrants’ intention to settle permanently in New Zealand over and above migration motivations, social connectedness, life satisfaction, and language proficiency. Our findings address the limitations of the original SCAS measure, and offer initial validation of an improved measure for assessing the culturally competent behaviors required for appropriate, effective, and adaptive functioning in new cultural settings.

The Effect of Length of Residence and Geographical Origin on the Social Inclusion of Immigrants

“…Cultural distance strongly influences the social inclusion of immigrants. Increased cultural distance between the sending and receiving countries makes learning the host culture more challenging, thus hindering the acculturation experience and the sociocultural inclusion of immigrants (Searle & Ward, 1990;Wilson et al, 2017). The place of origin has traditionally been considered a key aspect in the analysis of cultural distance; however, what really hinders the social inclusion of immigrants is not the place of origin itself, but the implications of greater cultural distance.…”

“…From the beginning of their experience, immigrants are involved in a multidimensional process of acculturation and sociocultural adaptation, which is influenced by elements such as the development of cultural competence and proficiency in the language of the host country, age at the time of migration, and access to resources considered relevant (Amit & Bar-Lev, 2015;Birman & Trickett, 2001;Prilleltensky, 2008;Wilson, Ward, Fetvadjiev, & Bethel, 2017). Typical variables have been used to predict immigrant adaptation, such as reason for immigration, job satisfaction, marital status, religious motivation, or the development of multicultural identities (Amit & Riss, 2014;Aycan & Berry, 1996;Birman, 2011;Gove, 2018;Salo & Birman, 2015).…”

Birds of a Feather Fare Less Well Together: Modeling Predictors of International Student Adaptation

“…Social connectedness and language competency [5,6] as well as relationships of international, co-national, and nationals [5] have been shown to be influential in managing acculturative stress. Searle and Ward's theoretical model has been empirically evaluated [12], with periodic revisions in measurement [11]. This framework has been widely used to study intercultural research questions, such as adaptation [15,16] and cultural competence [17], and provides a framework for how to analyze adjustment in our current sample.…”

Condiciones sociolaborales e integración social de mujeres y hombres españoles en Alemania e Inglaterra

“…Las personas con una mayor distancia cultural (real y/o percibida) respecto a la sociedad receptora se enfrentan a mayores dificultades socioeconómicas y culturales y a más situaciones de rechazo y discriminación (p. ej., Wilson et al, 2017). Para la población emigrante española de origen español, Alemania y Reino Unido son países de la Comunidad Económica Europea y a priori se hace difícil establecer en cuál hay mayor distancia cultural.…”

“…People with both a real and/or a perceived greater cultural distance with respect to the host society face greater socio-economic and cultural difficulties, and are more likely to be rejected or discriminated against (e.g. Wilson et al, 2017). For the Spain-born Spanish migrant population, Germany and the United Kingdom are countries in the European Economic Community and it is therefore difficult to establish from which of the two countries they feel culturally more distant.…”