BMC Public Health
Volume 10, 2010

Cognitive testing of physical activity and acculturation questions in recent and long-term Latino immigrants (Article) (Open Access)

Berrigan D.* , Forsyth B.H. , Helba C. , Levin K. , Norberg A. , Willis G.B.
  • a Applied Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Executive Plaza North MSC 7344, Bethesda, MD 20892-7344, United States
  • b Center for Advanced Study of Language, University of Maryland, Box 25, College Park, MD 20742-0025, United States
  • c Westat, 1650 Research Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20850, United States
  • d Westat, 1650 Research Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20850, United States
  • e Westat, 1650 Research Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20850, United States
  • f Applied Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Executive Plaza North MSC 7344, Bethesda, MD 20892-7344, United States

Abstract

Background. We ascertained the degree to which language (English versus Spanish), and residence time in the US influence responses to survey questions concerning two topics: self-reported acculturation status, and recent physical activity (PA). This topic is likely to be of general interest because of growing numbers of immigrants in countries worldwide. Methods. We carried out qualitative (cognitive) interviews of survey items on acculturation and physical activity on 27 Latino subjects from three groups: (a) In Spanish, of those of low residence time (less than five years living in the U.S.) (n = 9); (b) In Spanish, of those of high residence time (15 or more years in the U.S) (n = 9); and (c) in English, of those of high residence time (n = 9). Results. There were very few language translation problems; general question design defects and socio-cultural challenges to survey responses were more common. Problems were found for both acculturation and PA questions, with distinct problem types for the two question areas. Residence time/language group was weakly associated with overall frequency of problems observed: low residence time/Spanish (86%), high residence time/Spanish (67%), and English speaking groups (62%). Conclusions. Standardized survey questions related to acculturation and physical activity present somewhat different cognitive challenges. For PA related questions, problems with such questions were similar regardless of subject residence time or language preference. For acculturation related questions, residence time/language or education level influenced responses to such questions. These observations should help in the interpretation of survey results for culturally diverse populations. © 2010 Berrigan et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

psychological aspect exercise human middle aged Interview, Psychological Hispanic Americans United States Young Adult Humans Hispanic Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants Acculturation cognition female cultural factor psychologic test Article adult migration
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77955496151&doi=10.1186%2f1471-2458-10-481&partnerID=40&md5=66a1fa692cb06c24282f749d4c1db9a6
DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-10-481
ISSN: 14712458
Cited by: 14
Original Language: English