COMPARISON OF THE BRIEF ARSMA AND MACVS IN HISPANIC MOTHERS

Aims: The aim of this paper is to present a comparison between two instruments used in a current research study examining growth of Mexican American infants from birth to age 3. One instrument measures acculturation and the other instrument measures cultural values. We want to determine if acculturation and cultural values are the same construct, a similar construct, or different constructs.

Background: Acculturation is an extremely important factor to consider when assessing the behavioral choices of any foreign or migrant population in the U.S. Often; these groups face the challenge of adapting to mainstream U.S. culture while also maintaining ties with their own culture. They frequently experience social pressures to conform to traditional standards at home while simultaneously experiencing pressure to conform to standards in the broader community. When considering Mexican American groups, the Brief Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans II (ARSMA-II) and the Mexican American Cultural Values Scale (MACVS) are both ideal instruments for measuring acculturation or importance of retaining cultural values. The Brief ARSMA-II measures acculturation using variables of language, ethnic identity, and ethnic interaction. The MACVS examines culturally related values, which is extremely important for our population because values are a primary mechanism by which culture is transmitted.

Methods: The data were collected one time when the women in the study were enrolled in their third trimester. All subjects stated they were of Mexican American origin as an enrollment criteria. The women are from ages 18-40 and are low-income and using food assistance. Data from the two scales were first analyzed through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and then compared.

Results: The Brief ARSMA-II (Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans) demonstrated acceptable reliability with Cronbach’s alphas of .92 for AOS (Anglo Orientation Subscale) and .90 for MOS (Mexican Orientation Subscale). All 12 items loaded appropriately on their respective factors (AOS and MOS) with factor loadings ranged .74-.93 and two subscales demonstrated negative correlations (r=-.59, p<.01). MACVS (Mexican American Cultural Values Scale) provided evidence of reliability and validity: the expected factor structures with 9 factors and factor loadings .34-.78; and acceptable Cronbach’s alphas for 3 subscales (α=.71 for familism, α=.81 for Mexican American values, α=.73 for Mainstream values). Mexican American values and Mainstream values on the MACVS were negatively related (r=-.53, p<.01). Additionally, convergent and divergent validity was supported: the Anglo Orientation on the Brief ARSMA-II was positively related to the Mainstream values on the MACVS (r=.23, p<.01); Mexican Orientation on the Brief ARSMA-II was negatively related to the Mainstream values on the MACVS (r=-.21, p<.05); familism on the MACVS was negatively related to MACVS Mainstream values (r=-.42, p<.01). 

Implications: The Brief ARSMA and the MACVS focus on different aspects of adapting to a new culture, but are congruent for the values of cultural orientation and familism. The MACVS is an additional instrument for researchers to consider when working with Mexican American populations to determine the impact of cultural values on health outcomes.

Funding: NIH/NIDDK 5R01DK096488-03 awarded to first author