Cultural Trauma Scale (CuTs): Parsimonious Principal Component Analysis, Independent Black American Male Sample

Abstract

Psychometric research is necessary to facilitate reliable and valid measurement of Black men’s perceptions of cultural trauma. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the factor structure and internal consistency of the Cultural Trauma Scale (CuTS), using a more parsimonious factor model. The study used a community-engaged framework and was approved by an Institutional Review Board for research with human participants. A principal component analysis with equamax rotation (N = 240) was conducted. The CuTS factors were replicated and measured constructs of Tripartite Police Fear (Cronbach’s alpha = .83), Beliefs about America and It’s Justice System (Cronbach’s alpha = .84), Black Injustice Emotions (Cronbach’s alpha = .74), Cognitive-Behavioral Coping (Cronbach’s alpha = .75), Willingness to Seek Cultural Trauma Treatment (Cronbach’s alpha = .74), and Resilience (Cronbach’s alpha = .64). The pattern/structure coefficients within these subscales ranged from .50 to .87. With a slight variation, the results of the present study replicated the initial CuTS factor structure using a more parsimonious measurement model. The factorial validity and internal consistency of the CuTS will advance the reliable and valid measure of Black-oriented constructs among Black men.