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.