Dharma E. Cortes, PhD¹, Mariana Gerena, MA², Glorisa Canino, PhD³, Vivian Febo, PhD³, Jesus Soto, PhD³, Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola, MD, PhD⁴, Cristina Magana, PhD⁵, and Sue Eisen, PhD². (1) Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance/Harvard Medical School, 1493 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, 781-321-1038, decortes@aol.com, (2) Boston University School of Public Health, CHQOER, EN Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, 200 Spring Road (152), Bedford, MA 01730, (3) University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, P.O. Box 365067, San Juan, PR 00936-5067, (4) Department of Psychology, California State University, Fresno, 5310 N. Campus Dr. M/S 11, Fresno, CA 93740-0011, (5) Department of Psychology, California State University at Fresno, 5241 N Maple Avenue, Fresno, CA 93740

Although culturally and linguistically appropriate outcome measures are especially needed to address the needs of Latino consumers of mental health services, they are often excluded from such assessments. Recently, the Behavior and Symptom Identification Scale (BASIS-32)— a widely used JCAHO-approved consumer self-report measure designed to assess outcome of behavioral health or substance abuse treatment— underwent revisions and a new version (BASIS-R) was developed. The goal of this study was to develop a culturally and linguistically appropriate version of the BASIS-R for Spanish-speaking Latinos. In order to achieve this goal, the English version of the BASIS-R was translated and adapted into Spanish, and pilot tested through the conduction of four focus groups and 45 cognitive interviews with respondents (i.e., Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, and Mexicans) from Puerto Rico, Boston, and California. Focus groups and cognitive interviews provided feedback about the instrument’s content and format, and respondents’ understanding of the instructions, questionnaire items, time frame and response options. In addition, respondents’ ratings of clarity and importance of each item were obtained. Analyses of focus group data identified items that were confusing or difficult for participants. These items were deleted or re-worded to clarify them prior to conducting cognitive interviews. Analyses of the cognitive interviews indicated that 22 out of 26 items were rated as completely clear by at least 80% of respondents and 24 out of 26 items were rated as very important by at least 80% of respondents. This study highlighted the importance of determining cross-cultural equivalence of mental health assessment instruments.

Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to

(
• understand the importance of determining cross-cultural equivalence of mental health assessment instruments; (
• articulate the steps involved in adapting an assessment tool; (
• learn about combining qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Keywords: Latino Mental Health, Assessments

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.