Cross-cultural measurement invariance evidence of individualism and collectivism: from the idiosyncratic to universal

Introduction

Culture plays a fundamental role in shaping human behavior, with individualism and collectivism being key cultural dimensions. However, existing scales for measuring these constructs, such as the INDCOL scale, have demonstrated issues when applied in diverse cultural contexts. To address this, we present the translation and adaptation of the Mexican Vertical and Horizontal Individualism and Collectivism Scale (MXINDCOL) into English, aiming to identify both universal and culture-specific elements.

Methods

Data were collected from 1124 participants (371 from the United States, 753 from Mexico) using the MXINDCOL and INDCOL scales. Propensity score matching was applied to balance demographic differences between the samples. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) assessed model fit, and cross-cultural measurement invariance was examined. Reliability, convergent and discriminant validity were also assessed.

Results

The English-translated MXINDCOL scale demonstrated good model fit in both US and Mexican samples, outperforming the INDCOL scale. Reliability values were higher for the MXINDCOL scale compared to INDCOL. Cross-cultural measurement invariance was established, allowing for meaningful comparisons between the two cultures. US participants scored higher on vertical collectivism, while Mexican participants scored higher on horizontal collectivism and horizontal individualism.

Discussion

The MXINDCOL scale offers a culturally sensitive measurement of individualism and collectivism, addressing issues found in existing scales. It provides a more accurate assessment of cultural orientations and enriches the understanding of cultural dimensions by incorporating idiosyncratic elements. Further research in diverse cultural contexts is recommended to validate and refine the scale, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of cultural variations in individualism and collectivism.

Between simpatia and malandragem: Brazilian jeitinho as an individual difference variable

Culture-specific behaviour strategies provide an interesting window into individual differences research, producing a richer conceptualization of personality descriptions. Our aim is to describe the personality dimensions linked to a core socio-cultural behaviour pattern in Brazil: jeitinho. To reach this goal we conducted four studies. Our first set of studies (1a, 1b and 1c) examined the underlying structure of jeitinho as an individual difference variable and its nomological network with social values, the Big-Five, moral attitudes, and social dominance orientation. In Study 2, we confirm this structure and relate personal jeitinho to perceptions of jeitinho norms. Results demonstrated that personal jeitinho has two dimensions: Jeitinho Simpático is an individual’s tendency to seek positive social interactions, avoid conflict, and find creative solutions; and Jeitinho Malandro captures behaviours such as the use of deception and trickery. These two behaviours are rooted in the same dimensions of the integrated model of values and personality.

Self-Actualization in the Latino/Hispanic Culture

The psychological experience of Latinos/as is deeply rooted in a collectivistic culture that values relationships. This provides them with a sense of identity, purpose, and meaning in life. Consequently, self-actualization is most authentically achieved through their collective values and behaviors and the family plays a central role in defining self-actualizing. The family and the collective are the primary loci where Latinos/as meet their needs for safety, belonging, love, respect, and self-esteem. They are able to reach their full potential, capacities, and talents through positive and nurturing interactions with others. Familismo, personalismo, and simpatia are some of the most important cultural values and behaviors that allow them to fulfill their vocation as highly relational people.

Development of an Instrument to Measure Cultural Attitudes and Behaviors Affecting Vocational Rehabilitation

The Individualism-Collectivism Vocational Attitudes Questionnaire (ICVAQ) was developed to assess cultural attitudes and behaviors that may be important in the provision of vocational rehabilitation services to people with disabilities from diverse cultural backgrounds. The theoretical basis for the instrument was a four-factor model specifying horizontal and vertical (H/V) manifestations of individualism and collectivism (I/C). The instrument was completed by samples of college students in the United States and Guatemala, along with two other instruments measuring I/C. Factor analysis resulted in the identification of four factors that corresponded to the four I/C-H/V types, which were defined as instrument subscales, and coefficient alpha reliability estimates ranged from the .50s to .70s for the four subscales. Validity was examined through analysis of differences in ICVAQ scores according to U.S. culture versus Guatemalan culture and socioeconomic status and through correlations with two other more established measures of I/C. Results were mixed but provided some support for the reliability and validity of the ICVAQ.

The Structure And Personality Correlates Of Affect In Mexico

The structure and personality correlates of affect were studied in a sample of 351 predominantly Mexican university students using a large and representative list of 271 Spanish affect terms and a Spanish translation of the Big Five personality dimensions. Results were compared with those obtained previously in the United States, the Philippines, and Estonia. We found (a) good support for the cross-cultural comparability of global Positive Affect (PA) and Negative Affect (NA) dimensions and the hierarchical structure of affect; (b) cross-cultural similarities, but also differences, in the configuration of more specific positive and negative affects; and (c) fairly comparable patterns of relationships across cultures between the Big Five dimensions of personality and the Big Two dimensions of affect (PA, NA). Most of these results were more consistent with evolutionary biological perspectives on personality and affect than strong social constructivist perspectives.

Agreement in Personality Judgments within and between Nonoverlapping Social Groups in Collectivist Cultures

The social context hypothesis states that people behave differently in different social groups because group norms and context-specific interpersonal relationships uniquely affect behavior. Consequently, a person who is a member of different, nonoverlapping social groups (i. e., the members of different groups are unacquainted) should be judged consensually on personality traits within each group; however, between groups there should be less agreement in judgments. This research focused on cultural moderation of the social context effect in two collective cultures (China and Mexico) with different norms for interpersonal relationships. Among Chinese, there was greater consensus in trait judgments within groups than between groups, whereas in Mexico, agreement within and between groups was equivalent. Culturally based relationship norms that affect cross-context consistency of behavior and, in turn, the consistency of trait judgments across groups were described.

Conducting multinational, cross-cultural research in the functional gastrointestinal disorders: issues and recommendations. A Rome Foundation working team report

BACKGROUND

Cross-cultural, multinational research can advance the field of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). Cross-cultural comparative research can make a significant contribution in areas such as epidemiology, genetics, psychosocial modulators, symptom reporting and interpretation, extra-intestinal co-morbidity, diagnosis and treatment, determinants of disease severity, health care utilisation, and health-related quality of life, all issues that can be affected by geographical region, culture, ethnicity and race.

AIMS

To identify methodological challenges for cross-cultural, multinational research, and suggest possible solutions.

METHODS

This report, which summarises the full report of a working team established by the Rome Foundation that is available on the Internet, reflects an effort by an international committee of FGID clinicians and researchers. It is based on comprehensive literature reviews and expert opinion.

RESULTS

Cross-cultural, multinational research is important and feasible, but has barriers to successful implementation. This report contains recommendations for future research relating to study design, subject recruitment, availability of appropriate study instruments, translation and validation of study instruments, documenting confounders, statistical analyses and reporting of results.

CONCLUSIONS

Advances in study design and methodology, as well as cross-cultural research competence, have not matched technological advancements. The development of multinational research networks and cross-cultural research collaboration is still in its early stages. This report is intended to be aspirational rather than prescriptive, so we present recommendations, not guidelines. We aim to raise awareness of these issues and to pose higher standards, but not to discourage investigators from doing what is feasible in any particular setting.

Modeling differences in the dimensionality of multiblock data by means of clusterwise simultaneous component analysis

Given multivariate multiblock data (e.g., subjects nested in groups are measured on multiple variables), one may be interested in the nature and number of dimensions that underlie the variables, and in differences in dimensional structure across data blocks. To this end, clusterwise simultaneous component analysis (SCA) was proposed which simultaneously clusters blocks with a similar structure and performs an SCA per cluster. However, the number of components was restricted to be the same across clusters, which is often unrealistic. In this paper, this restriction is removed. The resulting challenges with respect to model estimation and selection are resolved.

Common and cluster-specific simultaneous component analysis

In many fields of research, so-called 'multiblock' data are collected, i.e., data containing multivariate observations that are nested within higher-level research units (e.g., inhabitants of different countries). Each higher-level unit (e.g., country) then corresponds to a 'data block'. For such data, it may be interesting to investigate the extent to which the correlation structure of the variables differs between the data blocks. More specifically, when capturing the correlation structure by means of component analysis, one may want to explore which components are common across all data blocks and which components differ across the data blocks. This paper presents a common and cluster-specific simultaneous component method which clusters the data blocks according to their correlation structure and allows for common and cluster-specific components. Model estimation and model selection procedures are described and simulation results validate their performance. Also, the method is applied to data from cross-cultural values research to illustrate its empirical value.

A clusterwise simultaneous component method for capturing within-cluster differences in component variances and correlations

This paper presents a clusterwise simultaneous component analysis for tracing structural differences and similarities between data of different groups of subjects. This model partitions the groups into a number of clusters according to the covariance structure of the data of each group and performs a simultaneous component analysis with invariant pattern restrictions (SCA-P) for each cluster. These restrictions imply that the model allows for between-group differences in the variances and the correlations of the cluster-specific components. As such, clusterwise SCA-P is more flexible than the earlier proposed clusterwise SCA-ECP model, which imposed equal average cross-products constraints on the component scores of the groups that belong to the same cluster. Using clusterwise SCA-P, a finer-grained, yet parsimonious picture of the group differences and similarities can be obtained. An algorithm for fitting clusterwise SCA-P solutions is presented and its performance is evaluated by means of a simulation study. The value of the model for empirical research is illustrated with data from psychiatric diagnosis research.

Cultural Differences in Implicit Theories and Self-Perceptions of Traitedness

Cultural differences in implicit theories and self-perceptions of traitedness were examined in the United States ( N = 198), Mexico ( N = 257), the Philippines ( N = 212), and Japan ( N = 225). Participants in all four cultures endorsed beliefs about the longitudinal stability, cross-situational consistency, and predictive validity of traits. At the same time, Americans and Mexicans, more than Filipinos and Japanese, endorsed implicit trait or dispositionist perspectives and described their own behavior as traited or consistent (i.e., lower in self-monitoring). Alternative measurement formats were compared and led to the conclusion that forced-choice measures may be advantageous in some cases, particularly when acquiescence bias may impact cross-cultural comparisons. Cultural differences were observed in participants’ perceptions of the individualism-collectivism, dialecticism, and tightness-looseness of their respective cultures and these measures partially mediated some of the cultural differences in traitedness. Overall, the results supported an integration of trait and cultural psychology perspectives, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between culture and personality.

Translation and validation of study instruments for cross-cultural research

Cross-cultural research often involves physicians, nurses, and other health care providers. In studies of fecal and urinary incontinence, cross-cultural research has been applied to quality-of-life comparisons, and instruments have been translated to foreign languages for use in other countries. This report presents some of the principal methodological issues and problems associated with translating questionnaires for use in cross-cultural research in a manner relevant to clinicians and health care practitioners who are aware that, unless these potential problems are addressed, the results of their research may be suspect. Translation is the most common method of preparing instruments for cross-cultural research and has pitfalls that threaten validity. Some of these problems are difficult to detect and may have a detrimental effect on the study results. Identification and correction of problems can enhance research quality and validity. A method for translation and validation is presented in detail. However, the specific validation method adopted is less important than the recognition that the translation process must be appropriate and the validation process rigorous.

Cultural influences on personality

Ecologies shape cultures; cultures influence the development of personalities. There are both universal and culture-specific aspects of variation in personality. Some culture-specific aspects correspond to cultural syndromes such as complexity, tightness, individualism, and collectivism. A large body of literature suggests that the Big Five personality factors emerge in various cultures. However, caution is required in arguing for such universality, because most studies have not included emic (culture-specific) traits and have not studied samples that are extremely different in culture from Western samples.

A case study in translation methodology using the Health-Promotion Lifestyle Profile II

Although Hispanics constitute the most rapidly growing segment of the population in the United States, they have received relatively little attention regarding factors affecting their health behaviors and influences. One such factor is the scarcity of reliable and valid Spanish-language instruments for research with this population. Researchers who attempt to translate an existing instrument into Spanish need to recognize the methodological issues involved in the translation process and psychometric testing. The purpose of this article is to describe the advantages and disadvantages of various translation methodologies, to identify statistical issues in cross-cultural research, and to provide a case study of the translation process and statistical analysis of a translated instrument. Specifically, this study looks at the development and pilot testing of a Spanish-language version of the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II using a randomized convenience sample of 60 bilingual Hispanic individuals.