A Multidimensional Measure of Cultural Identity for Latino and Latina Adolescents

Abstract

Many scales are available to measure acculturation. Unfortunately, most rely on a single indicator scale and fail to consider biculturality. Therefore, the multidimensional and multifaceted aspects of the complex phenomenon of cultural identity have not been adequately appreciated or assessed. Latino(a) college students (N = 130) responded to multiple items regarding language use, values/attitudes, behavior, and familiarity with aspects of American and Latino/a culture. Using exploratory factor analyses with oblique factor rotation, 10 interpretable and reliable factors were identified and compared to other criteria. The cultural identity scales included: Three for language, four for behavior/familiarity, and three for values/attitudes. Behavior and language differentiated between highly bicultural individuals, Latino/a identified, American identified, and low-level biculturals.