Developing a cultural values scale for use with mothers and fathers from diverse ethnicities

The National Children's Study (NCS) will examine the effects of the environment, including factors such as air, water, family dynamics, community and cultural influences, genetics on the growth, development, and health of children across the United States, following them from before birth until age 21 years. One important influence of maternal and child health and development are cultural factors disseminated and shared across societies. Cultural factors may explain differentials in maternal health and behaviors across diverse ethnic groups. Developing a brief culture survey may offer an opportunity to examine how cultural values affect maternal and child health.

The Cultural Values Questionnaire was developed through a systematic research process starting with an extensive review of literature and national surveys to identify existing relevant scales. After identifying a set of candidate scales, we conducted qualitative research (focus groups and cognitive interviews) to shorten the scales and assure their relevance to maternal and child health. The questionnaire was then pilot tested. Study participants for the qualitative research and pilot study were mothers and fathers from diverse racial-ethnic and socio-economic statuses. The final survey questions were identified by study participants as important to pregnant women or parenting and were rephrased for clarity based on their input. The questionnaire measures four relevant cultural domains: Interpersonal Relations (personalismo), Machismo, Individualism/Collectivism, and Time Orientation.

Cultural issues in health will contribute both to policy formation and health interventions and to the development of broader explanatory frameworks for understanding determinants of maternal health.