Cultural Trauma Scale (CuTS): Psychometric evaluation of Black men's beliefs, emotions, and coping

Abstract

Racism and gender-based prejudice produce a synergistic and toxic effect that necessitates analysis. There is a need to conduct more research with Black men as their experiences with race-based trauma may differ, given their concurrent disproportionate exposure to other forms of violence. Objective: The study’s purpose was to develop items for and evaluate the factor structure and internal consistency of the Cultural Trauma Scale (CuTS) in an exclusive sample of Black men. Method: Using the Yale Center for Clinical Investigation, Community Alliance for Research Engagement principles, the study was conducted in a context of community engaged research. Data were collected from individual interviews and focus groups, subject matter experts, and a sample of 150 adult Black men. Principal axis factoring (PAF) was used to determine the factor structure of the scale items. Results: Via PAF the final factor structure included five constructs addressing: American & Its Justice System: Cognitive- Emotional Responses (Cronbach’s Alpha = .88), Cognitive-Behavioral Coping (Cronbach’s Alpha = .77), Willingness to Seek Cultural Trauma Treatment (Cronbach’s Alpha = .88), Tripartite Police Fear (Cronbach’s Alpha = .81), and Resilience (Cronbach’s Alpha = .61). Conclusion: The CuTS represents psychometric advancement in the measurement of Black male social justice and healing from cultural trauma. Keywords: Cognitive-Behavioral, Cultural Trauma, Black, Men, Psychometric Clinical Impact Statement: The measurement properties of the Cultural Trauma Scale (CuTS) were examined in an exclusive adult Black male sample. The data suggest the CuTS measures trauma regarding Black structural, cognitive, emotional, familial, and professional health seeking concepts. This study provides a tool for measuring constructs within a Black male demographic that are frequently encountered in Black clinical research and practice.