Equivalencies regarding the measurement and constructs of self-esteem and major life events in an Asian/Pacific islander sample.

Construct, scalar, and functional measurement equivalencies of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and Major Life Events checklist (MLE) and the constructs assessed were investigated across groups differentiated on Hawaiian/part-Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian (e.g., Caucasian, Filipino, Hispanic, Japanese, and mixed/2 or more) ethnicity and gender. Initial results from maximum likelihood factoring with promax rotation showed that RSES negatively worded Item 5 loaded with the positively worded Items 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7 on 1 of 2 factors for Hawaiian/part-Hawaiian female participants. Similarly, negatively worded Item 8 and the same positively worded items comprised 1 of 2 factors for non-Hawaiian male participants. For the other 2 Ethnicity x Gender groups, factors were respectively comprised of the 5 positively and 5 negatively worded RSES items. Construct equivalence or simple (2-factor) structure underlying the RSES was indicated across the 4 groups after Items 5 and 8 were excluded from a subsequent factoring procedure. Simple structure showed that Factor 1 comprised the positively worded Items 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7, and the remaining negatively worded Items 3, 9, and 10 loaded on Factor 2. Scalar equivalence of the self-esteem and major life events measures was supported by the statistical nonsignificance of the Major Life Events x Ethnicity x Gender interaction effect in multiple regression models. The consistency in the absolute size and direction of the intercorrelations between overall self-esteem, self-esteem Factors 1 and 2, and major life events variables indicated the functional equivalence of respective measures and constructs assessed. Measurement equivalency findings concerning the RSES and MLE, the constructs measured, and their utility versus caution against their use in multiethnic studies were discussed.

Risk and protective factors related to native Hawaiian adolescent alcohol use.

The present study examined protective and risk factors in the prediction of alcohol use for Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian (i.e. Caucasian, Japanese, Filipino, 'other') adolescents. Comparable rates of approximately 25% were found for both the Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian samples regarding sometimes drinking too much alcohol. However, Hawaiians reported a statistically significantly higher rate (3.7%) of taking 'a drink in the morning to steady my nerves or to get rid of a hangover' than non-Hawaiians (1.3%). The reason for this is unknown but might indicate a higher rate of dependent alcohol use. The overall results supported the traditional model of protective and risk factors predicting alcohol use (R(2) > 15.0%), with relatively few differences found between the two ethnic groups. Further research is needed in assessing possibly unique cultural variables such as Hawaiian acculturation.

Prediction of anxiety disorders using the state-trait anxiety inventory for multiethnic adolescents.

The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) in predicting DSM-III-R anxiety disorders based on the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (DISC, Version 2.3) and using Asian/Pacific Islander adolescents. An overall prevalence rate of 9.19% for generalized anxiety disorder, overanxious disorder, or social phobia was consistent with past studies. As hypothesized, STAI negatively worded (i.e., Factor 2) items were better predictors than positively stated (i.e., Factor 1) items. The STAI State mean was a better predictor of concurrent DISC anxiety disorders as compared to STAI State Factors I or 2. In contrast, the STAI Trait Factor 2 (negatively worded) composite was the best predictor for nonconcurrent DISC anxiety disorders as compared to STAI Trait Factor 1 or the overall STAI Trait subscale. Satisfactory predictive-validity values were obtained when using the STAI State mean and Trait Factor 2 composite. Implications of these findings are discussed, including using the STAI as a screening measure for ethnically diverse adolescents.

Prediction of DISC substance abuse and dependency for ethnically diverse adolescents.

PURPOSE: This study examines the validity of selected items from the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory-Adolescent (SASSI-A) version in predicting Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (DISC version 2.3) Substance abuse and dependency (SA/D) for Native Hawaiian (i.e., indigenous people of the Hawaiian Islands) and non-Hawaiian adolescents (youth without any Native Hawaiian indigenous ancestry). METHODS: 542 students were randomly selected from the larger sample to participate in the DISC administration. Demographic information, SASSI-A scores, and DISC diagnoses were obtained for each student. Univariate and multiple logistic regressions were performed in the prediction of DISC SA/D. RESULTS: SASSI-A Factor 1, consisting of three items measuring substance use, was found to have the best utility, accounting for 18.1% of the variance, in predicting DISC SA/D. IMPLICATIONS: These results support selected SASSI-A items in screening for SA/D for Native Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian adolescents in Hawaii as compared to other community-based screening instruments for other populations.

Alcohol use in Hawaii.

This article provides a review of the existing literature on alcohol use in Hawaii (i.e., epidemiology, reasons for use, associated problems, and intervention) and offers clinical implications of the findings and suggestions for further areas of research. In general, Caucasians, Hawaiians, younger Filipinos, males, adolescents, young adults, and those with lower educational attainment were found to be at higher risk. Overall, Hawaii's rates were either comparable or lower than those for the entire United States. Factors associated with different rates of alcohol use included accessibility, ability to resist offers, parent use and sanctions, peer influence and use, attitudes and beliefs (e.g., perceived normal drinking, dangerousness), religious affiliation, social occasions, and school intervention. Variable rates and trends in help-seeking behaviors, treatment admissions, and treatment utilization reflected the socio-cultural diversity in Hawaii. Perceived effectiveness of different treatments were generally consistent across ethnic groups, but did not necessarily represent actual efficacy. There is a clear need for additional prevention, screening, and intervention programs in Hawaii, including socio-culturally appropriate ones, as well as a need for further research.

Differences in State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scores for ethnically diverse adolescents in Hawaii.

This study examined the association between anxiety and 5 predictor variables: ethnicity (Caucasian, Native Hawaiian/part Hawaiian, Japanese, other), gender, grade level (9-12th), main wage earners' educational level, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI; C. D. Spielberger, R. L. Gorsuch, & R. E. Lushene, 1970) factors for a diverse group of students. Hawaiian students were found to have significantly higher levels of anxiety than Japanese students; however, ethnicity was not a significant predictor when gender, grade level, and main wage earners' education were statistically held constant. An interaction between ethnicity and STAI factor scores indicated an atypical pattern for Caucasians. Female students scored significantly higher than male students, and main wage earners' education predicted amount of anxiety. In general, these 2 associations remained significant when ethnicity and grade level were held constant. An interaction between gender and STAI factor scores indicated that the difference between female and male students was relatively larger for positively (as opposed to negatively) worded State items and for negatively (as opposed to positively) worded Trait items. Overall, the findings suggested that apparent ethnic differences in anxiety levels may be due to causal variables related to other sociodemographic variables. Factor scores in the form of positively versus negatively worded items should be considered an important variable; using only a global STAI composite as a measure of anxiety will mask the differential effects of the STAI factor scores. Further research is needed to determine the generalizability of these findings to other groups and to provide knowledge on direct causal variables that may account for a greater percentage of variance.

Psychometric properties of the Hawaiian Culture Scale--Adolescent Version.

This article reports on the psychometric properties of a newly constructed Hawaiian Culture Scale--Adolescent Version. A total of 2,272 Native Hawaiian and 1,170 non-Hawaiian adolescents were administered this 50-item inventory that measures the source of learning the Hawaiian way of life, how much Hawaiian beliefs are valued and important to maintain, how much non-Hawaiian beliefs are valued, Hawaiian blood quantum, and specific cultural traditions (seven subscales = Lifestyles, Customs. Activities, Folklore, Causes-Locations, Causes-Access, and Language Proficiency). The results strongly supported the internal consistency and validity of the measures for both the Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian groups. On the basis of the demographic data, partial support was offered for cross-cultural theories of ethnic identity. More consistent support was found for multiculturalism in Hawai'i's adolescents. Further research is needed to link these measures with indicators of psychological adjustment (e.g., depression, anxiety, substance use).

Psychometric properties of the state-trait anxiety inventory for Asian/Pacific-islander adolescents.

Anxiety disorders are said to be universal across all cultures and recent reviews have found relatively high prevalence rates across different countries. However, the experience and interpretation of anxiety are strongly influenced by cultural factors. Demonstrating cross-cultural equivalence of measures of anxiety is essential to assure that comparisons between cultures will result in meaningful interpretations. Despite the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory being the most researched of anxiety measures from a cross-cultural basis, there is a lack of empirical studies on the psychometric properties of the STAI with adolescent Asian/Pacific Islanders. The present study examined the STAI using a large sample of ethnically diverse high school students in Hawaii. In general, a four-factor model (State-Anxiety Absent, State-Anxiety Present, Trait-Anxiety Absent, and Trait-Anxiety Present) provided the best fit based on a series of confirmatory factor analyses. Indicators of internal consistency supported the reliability of the factors and subscales, and the inter-factor correlations reflected positively on the concurrent validity of the different STAI factor and subscale measures. This study suggested cautious use and interpretation of one particular item (Trait Item 14 = I try to avoid facing a crisis or difficulty ), and cautious application of the STAI to Filipino adolescents (particularly Filipino males). Domains for further research are discussed.