The development and content validation of a preliminary multidimensional and multicultural measure of culture change for Italian-Canadians

Much confusion surrounds the term 'acculturation' and its measurement. Many pencil and paper measures of the construct utilize bipolar or forced-choice scales which oppose involvement in one culture to participation in another. The underlying assumption in the use of such scales is that acquisition of dominant culture is concomitant with loss of immigrant culture. This inherent assumption is nevertheless questionable on conceptual grounds because of its assimilationist undertones. A preliminary multidimensional measure of 'culture change' for Italian-Canadians toward the English-Canadian culture is proposed. It is argued that its underlying assumptions are consistent with Canada's multicultural reality. Accordingly, the instrument is designed to assess (a) acquisition of host culture and (b) maintenance of original culture independently via the almost exclusive use of Likert-type scales. 'Culture change' is thus taken here as synonymous to the term 'acculturation' in its broader multicultural meaning. The results of a content validation procedure involving expert judges are also reported. Finally, an ensuing face valid version of the measure is proposed along with guidelines for further purification and validation.