Examining life in detention: A process of survey translation and adaptation through an ecological and collaborative approach. Issue 3 (3rd July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Esposito, Francesca; Di Napoli, Immacolata; Ornelas, José; Briozzo, Erica; Arcidiacono, Caterina
• Is Part Of: Journal of prevention & intervention in the community. Volume 50:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 302
• Page End: 316
• Publication Date: 2022-07-03
• Subjects: Collaborative research -- ecological perspective -- measurement translation and adaptation -- migrant detention -- migration; Preventive health services -- Periodicals; Preventive health services -- United States -- Periodicals; Community health services -- Periodicals; Community health services -- United States -- Periodicals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1080/10852352.2021.1918827
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1085-2352

Abstract

Abstract: This paper illustrates the process we engaged in to translate and adapt a survey to examine life in an immigration detention center in Italy from the perspective of the migrants detained therein. The process consisted of: the forward translation of the original measure performed by four independent translators; a blind backward translation to identify misinterpretations or incorrect cross-cultural and contextual adaptations; a synthesis of all translations to obtain a semifinal version; the creation of an Expert Committee composed of scholars, practitioners, and migrants with experience of detention to assess equivalence and content validity; and, finally, pretesting with a group of 15 detained persons. Through this multi-step process we obtained a measure capable of grasping the context-specific meanings, needs and experiences that characterize life in detention. The challenges and benefits of a collaborative and ecological approach to measurement translation and adaption are discussed in the final section.