Applying the Rasch model to measure acculturation challenges faced by Saudi female students in the United States.

摘要

The purpose of this study was to explore the major acculturation challenges faced by Saudi female students who study in the U.S. and to develop a scale to measure potential acculturation challenges. The construction of the scale was based on a table of specification that included nine domains of possible acculturation challenges: (a) culture/acculturation, (b) social, (c) psychological, (d) familial, (e) language, (f) educational system, (g) financial, (h) student visa, and (i) religious challenges.;The results showed that the scale was unidementional based on the Hull method and Rasch model analysis. The Rasch model was applied to examine the overall fit of the scale and the fit of the 52 items to the Rasch model. The results showed that the overall item and person fit to the scale, and all of the 52 items fit the Rasch model adequately. The scale separation indices and reliability were tested and showed suitable evidence of reliability. The content and construct validity of the scale were examined and obtained based on supported evidence which were the mean-square fit of items, unidimensionality of the scale, and the point-biserial correlations of the items.;The correlation results showed that the acculturation challenges had significant negative correlation with the educational level, significant positive correlation with marital status, significant negative correlation with English proficiency, and significant negative correlation with length of stay in the U.S. However, it did not correlate with age and the four U.S. regions. The received support and hostility at the university had significant negative correlation, respectively, with acculturation challenges. There were significant positive correlations between acculturation challenges and all nine domains of the table of specification. Also, each domain in the table of specification had significant positive correlation with all the other domains. The findings from the current study can be applied in the field of acculturation studies, counseling, assessment and diagnostic studies, measurement, orientation services, and research on international students. This study provided Recommendations for Future Studies to be conducted on Saudi male students, Saudi female students in other countries, and can be applied to other international students of different nationalities.