The Latina Values Scale: Translation and cultural adaptation

As Latinos continue to immigrate to this country, currently available instruments will need to be adapted, modified and translated for use with Spanish-speaking individuals. An increasing challenge for mental health professionals is to develop instruments that are not only culturally appropriate, but also in the proper language. This study conducted a thorough Spanish translation of the Latina Values Scale, based on the systematic process described by Matias-Carrelo, et al. (2003). The scale is a 37-item, culturally-specific instrument which allows researchers and clinicians to assess inter-group and individual differences in the expression of marianismo (Marano, 2000). The scale also allows clinicians to assess whether Latinas experience conflict related to Latina cultural values. The Latina Values Scale was validated on a sample of American-born Latina college women (Marano, 2000); however, issues related to marianismo and Latina values appear to affect Latinas of differing ages (Gil & Vazquez, 1996). The present study obtained a thorough Spanish translation of the scale through the use of focus groups of middle-aged, Spanish-dominant Latina women. Semantic and content equivalence were achieved through a multi-step process which included: translation of the instrument into Spanish; back-translation; review of translated and back-translated versions of the scale by a bilingual committee; review of the translated version of the instrument by two focus groups (community women and social service professionals); review of focus group recommendations by the bilingual committee and incorporation of accepted changes; and pilot of the final version of the scale. The present study and previous research (Cano, 2003; Marano, 2000; Melendez, 2004) suggest that issues related to marianismo affect the Latina across the lifespan, irrespective of country of origin or length of time in this country. Issues in translation, limitations of the study and implications for clinical practice are discussed, and recommendations for future research are also provided.