Cultural and translation differences between English and Chinese versions of the Student Developmental Task and Lifestyle Inventory

The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of the Chinese translation of Student Developmental Task and Lifestyle Inventory by detecting its translation and cultural bias when used for Taiwanese college students. Scale translation, back-translation techniques, item response theory (IRT), and committee discussion were used to determine any translation and cultural differences between the Chinese and English versions of the Student Developmental Task and Lifestyle Inventory (CSDTLI & SDTLI).;The SDTLI was administrated to 1137 American College Students, and the CSDTLI, to 1213 Taiwanese college students. Lord's chi-square test was used to determine if the differential item functioning (DIF) for each item was significant. The results showed that 89 of the 140 items tested (64%) manifested statistically significant DIF. Then a committee determined, according to the item character curve (ICC) and item content analysis, the classification of each item for which significant DIF was observed as cultural, translation difference, or a combination of both for the CSDTLI.;Thirty-eight items demonstrated DIF that was determined to be primarily due to cultural differences. Nineteen items manifested DIF that was determined to be primarily due to translation/linguistic differences. Thirty-two items exhibited DIF that was judged to be both cultural and translation/linguistic differences. In its present form the CSDTLI may not be valid for use with Chinese students.;Recommendations for further research were made to consider only those items not displaying significant DIF for inclusion in an item pool and to study gender and class subgroups for Taiwanese college students. Recommendations also included replicating this study, iteratively refining the items toward a larger pool, applying committee discussion to other IRT studies, and developing a culture specific inventory for Taiwanese students.