| The present study had two predicted outcomes. First, to continue the validation process of the Native American Cultural Values and Beliefs Scale (NACVBS). It was hypothesized that the alphas for the NACVBS would be ?.70. The results indicated support for the first hypothesis. Cronbach's alphas were found to be strong for Importance (? = .91, M = 70.28, SD = 12.05). A Cronbach's apha was also found to be strong for Practice (? = .90, M = 57.07, SD = 13.81). Finally, Cronbach's alphas were found to be strong for Distress (?= .93, M = 51.63, SD = 16.04). Results of the alpha analyses provided support for high internal consistency of the scale as originally designed. Factor analyses were conducted on the NACVBS to see if the three factors, Importance (A), Practice (B), and Distress (C), were internally consistent. The results from the analyses added support for the original theory upon which the scale was constructed. Second, it was hypothesized the MEIM and the NACVBS would have related constructs. The results showed Importance were positively correlated, r (96)= .59, ?< .01 with the MEIM mean. The results showed Practice were positively correlated with the MEIM mean, r (96)= .60, ?< .01. Finally, the results showed Distress were positively correlated with the MEIM mean, r (96)= .59, ?< .01. Correlations were quite high, ranging from .39 to .61, except for the Other-Group Orientation scale of the MEIM, which did not correlate significantly with the NACVBS subscales. The results of the Other-Group Orientation scale provided evidence for divergent validity of the NACVBS with the current sample. Overall, the results indicate a valid assessment tool to be utilized with Native Americans in clinical and addictions arenas. There was some initial evidence to support its ability to be generalized to other Native Nations. Further studies of reliability and generalizability are indicated as a direct result of this study. |
Indigenous Policy Journal