Implications for Quality of Life Research in Latino Populations

The ECO VI Organizational Climate Scale: An Invariance Study in Four Latin American Countries

Introduction

Cross-cultural research is fundamental for the development and validation of work and organizational theories and to guide evidence-based practices around the globe. Although organizational climate is one of the most investigated higher-level constructs in organizational psychology, there is a lack of research analysing the invariance of measurements across national cultures in Latin America. This prevents scientists and practitioners from having a deeper understanding of this variable across the different countries and cultures composing this continent.

Objectives

This study aims at examining the measurement invariance of the Encuesta de Clima Organizacional scale in its VI version (ECO VI) in Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, and Dominican Republic.

Method

Data were gathered from 38 companies operating in the manufacturing sector based in the four abovementioned countries and the sample sizes were as follows: Colombia was represented by 1007 employees, Costa Rica by 1090 employees, Panama by 372 employees, and Dominican Republic by 213. Measurement invariance was examined by testing the configural, metric, scalar, and structural models of invariance.

Results

The results supported with empirical evidence that the ECO VI scale is characterized by measurement invariance. More precisely, 6 of its 8 dimensions are unbiasedly interpreted and can be considered for making meaningful comparisons across the considered national cultures, while the outputs deriving from the dimensions of "resources availability" and "interpersonal relationships" should be treated with more caution. Indeed, for such dimensions support for only configural and metric invariance was found.

Conclusions

The main contribution of the present study was to provide evidence about the measurement invariance of the ECO VI scale. Thus, providing the community of scientists and practitioners operating in different Latin American countries with a molar organizational climate scale that can be used for conducting cross-cultural research. Hence, it is now possible to have a deeper understanding of how theories and practices involving the organizational climate for well-being can be better applied across the countries and cultures composing this continent.

Understanding the impact of racial self-identification on perceptions of health-related quality of life: a multi-group analysis

PURPOSE

Multiple group analysis is used to determine whether the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) model developed by Wilson and Cleary (1995) is equivalent across racial categories. Using data from the Centers for Disease Control's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, this study compares racial groups (African American vs. White; Hispanic vs. White) to determine whether they perceive HRQoL similarly.

METHODS

This secondary data analysis of 2007 New York State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data (n = 6,103 cases) uses the multi-group analysis function in structural equation modeling to test for equivalency across the named ethnic/racial groups.

RESULTS

The White subsample achieved good fit indices and produced significant estimates for all structural components of the hypothesized model. Noteworthy differences, however, were found for the African American and Hispanic samples. In both cases, the data failed to support the Wilson and Cleary model as operationalized. This was most pronounced in the Hispanic versus White comparison, where the findings suggest fundamental differences between the two groups at the basic concept measurement level.

CONCLUSIONS

The substantial discrepancies that the findings suggest for the subsamples call into question not only the structural integrity of the Wilson and Cleary model for minorities but also suggest that racial groups, particularly Hispanics, may perceive concepts of health-related quality of life differently than Whites.

Measuring quality of life in low-income, Spanish-speaking Puerto Ricans with type 2 diabetes residing in the mainland U.S

PURPOSE

This study assessed the psychometric properties of the Audit of Diabetes-Dependent Quality of Life (ADDQoL) modified for low-income, low-education, Spanish-speaking Puerto Ricans with type 2 diabetes residing in the northeastern United States.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data from 226 patients were analyzed. Scale modifications included simplification of instructions, question wording and response format, and oral administration. Reliability was assessed with Cronbach's alpha coefficient and internal structure by exploratory factor analysis. Criterion validity was assessed using correlation analysis and linear and logistic regression models assessing the association of the ADDQoL with standardized physical health status, mental health status, depression, and comorbidity indices.

RESULTS

Two ADDQoL items were dropped. The modified scale had excellent internal consistency and supported the original scale factor structure. Criterion validity results supported the validity of this measure.

CONCLUSIONS

The modified ADDQoL showed psychometric properties that support its use in low-income, Spanish-speaking Puerto Ricans with type 2 diabetes who reside in mainland U.S.