Cultural Adaptation of Interventions and the a Priori Assessment of Intervention Fit: Exploring Measurement Invariance for American and Swedish Youth Leaving Care. Issue 3 (4th May 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Turner, Russell; Vira, Emily G.; Bergström, Martin; Olsson, Tina M
• Is Part Of: Journal of evidence-based social work. Volume 20:Issue 3(2023)
• Page Start: 306
• Page End: 322
• Publication Date: 2023-05-04
• Subjects: Measurement invariance -- outcome measures -- cross-cultural -- psychometrics -- intervention transfer -- intervention fit -- self-determination model; Human services -- Periodicals; Evidence-based social work -- Periodicals; 361.3205
• DOI: 10.1080/26408066.2022.2159602
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2640-8066

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Purpose: There is a growing literature on the importance of cultural adaptation of research-supported social work interventions. Few studies have however offered systematic methods for the a priori assessment of intervention fit in a new context. The current study explores the use of measurement invariance analyses to help identify whether key theoretical constructs in an intervention's theory of change may fit differently in a new context. Methods: We draw on data on 13 measures of key constructs in an intervention for youth leaving out-of-home care designed and trialed in the US context (N = 295; 53.1% girls, mean age 17.3) compared to Swedish adolescents (N = 104; 41% girls, mean age 17.5). Results: In general, the results found all the measures to be invariant between US and Swedish samples. Discussion: The original intervention (US) is likely to have a good fit in the new (Swedish) context in terms of the measurement and functionality of its key constructs. There are, however, some indications that certain aspects of the original key constructs may function differently in the Swedish context, highlighting a need to review either measurement or intervention design. A broader conclusion is that measurement invariance can provide a useful tool for research-supported social work practice, namely the systematic a priori assessment of the transferability of an intervention's theory of change. Some limitations and methodological issues are discussed.