Cultural Trauma Scale: Shorter Version, Psychometric Evaluation with an Independent Black Male Sample

Background and Purpose: Given the dearth of research that currently exist for Black men, studies that buttress measurement aspects of the scientific process are needed. Additionally, scales need to be brief to facilitate their use in busy and complex social service agencies. A previous analysis of the CuTS was conducted with a smaller sample of Black men (N = 150). The purpose of the study was to psychometrically validate a shorter version of Cultural Trauma Scale (CuTS), using an independent sample of Black men (N = 240).

Methods: The study was approved by an institutional review board for research with human participants. The present study used a community-engaged approach and adopted the Yale Community Alliance for Research and Engagement (CARE) to create and sustain equitable relationships between community partners and the university faculty. All data were collected face-to-face and followed all relevant Covid-19 precautions, which changed depending on the date and place of data collection. The present study used a cross sectional design to collect data from 240 (N) adult Black men. A convenience sample was used. The CuTS has been previously validated with a smaller number of Black men and more items. The present study uses a more parsimonious measurement model (24 items) than the previous psychometric evaluation of the CuTS. For the psychometric analysis a principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonol equamax methods were used for extraction and rotation, respectively.

Results: The sample of Black men were predominantly: employed (79%), Christian (65%), and over forty percent of the sample had at least a bachelor’s degree. The mean age for the sample was 45 years (standard deviation = 14.4). The PCA of a more parsimonious CuTS measurement model, resulted in a factor solution with 22 items and six subscales (in the order of explained variance): Tripartite Police Fear (Cronbach’s Alpha = .83), Beliefs about America and Its Justice System (Cronbach’s Alpha = .84), Black Injustice Emotions (Cronbach’s Alpha = .74), Cognitive-Behavioral Coping (Cronbach’s Alpha = .75), Willingness to Seek Cultural Trauma Treatment (Cronbach’s Alpha = .74), and Resilience (Cronbach’s Alpha = .64).

Conclusions and Implications: Similar to the initial evaluation of the CuTS with more items, the shorter version of the CuTS evaluates the same constructs without a substantive compromise in factorial validity or internal consistency reliability. Yet the shorter version of the CuTS has more factors and fewer items. The shorter version of the CuTS may increase the scale’s efficiency and thereby increase it use in clinical agencies providing mental health services to Black men. Given historical distrust that has influenced Black communities, the shorter number of items in the CuTS is anticipated to facilitate data collection, regarding cultural trauma, among Black men.