Factorial Structure of a Measure of Acculturation in a Puerto Rican Population

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychometric characteristics of the Cultural Life Style Inventory (CLSI), a measure of acculturation administered to 402 Puerto Rican college students. The data were analyzed to examine the factorial composition and internal consistency of the CLSI, and they were compared with previous findings with Mexican Americans. Results of the factor analysis revealed high factorial stability for Puerto Rican students. Consistent with previous findings, five interpretable factors emerged with Cronbach alpha estimates for each of the factors ranging from high to moderate. The reliability coefficient for the total scale was .82. The factor structure of the CLSI in this study included some similarities and differences between this sample and the Mexican American samples used in developing the scale. The factorial structure of the CLSI provided support for the multidimensionality of the scale and the construct of acculturation. The obtained results provided evidence supporting the validity of the scale for Puerto Rican college students.

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