The Association between Language Acquisition Method and the Process of Developing Cultural Competency in Healthcare Providers
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Date
2019-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Current knowledge suggests two groupings for language acquisition method. Heritage language learners acquire language through culturally bound settings; foreign language learners acquire language in formal educational settings. Multiple factors contribute to linguistic attainment. The effects of individuals’ language acquisition methods on the development of cultural competency are unknown. Cultural awareness and training are important factors to addressing healthcare disparities. This study is part of a larger study, Validation of the Spanish Version of the Instrument for Assessment of the Process of Cultural Competency-Revised (IAPCC-R©). The IAPCC-R is a 25-item tool, scored from 25-100, measuring healthcare providers’ levels of cultural competence, with five items measuring each construct of cultural competence. Higher scores correlate with increased cultural competency. This study sought to: (1) determine the reliability of the Spanish translation of the IAPCC-R in various types of language learners and (2) identify the difference between groups’ cultural competency scores.
A cross-sectional, survey-based design was used. The study initially targeted members of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses. Recruitment was expanded to include Ohio nurses and other healthcare professionals. Data were collected through a Qualtrics survey. A sample of 262 Spanish speaking healthcare professionals completed the survey. Participants were offered a $5.00 Amazon gift card for their participation. Data analysis was completed in SAS by the research team’s statistician. Cronbach’s alpha was calculated for each language learner group. A one-way between groups ANOVA was conducted to compare the effect of language acquisition method on cultural competency scores.
Reliability was calculated for each language learner subgroup: Language Developers (α = 0.81), Language Maintainers (α = 0.41), Latecomers who Personalize (α = 0.53), Language Shifters (α = 0.39), and Latecomers (α = 0.33). Reliability was established in Language Developers. The effect of language acquisition method on participants’ cultural competency score was not significant F (4, 184) = 0.54, p = 0.71.
Results suggest that when the IAPCC-R is translated into the Spanish language, the way cultural competency is assessed may benefit from being personalized for different types of language learners. While language acquisition method did not prove to significantly change cultural competency scores, future research would benefit from a mixed methods study with focus groups providing input to the Spanish IAPCC-R© translation.
Description
3rd place in Linguistics category, 2019 Denman Undergraduate Research Forum
Keywords
Cultural Competency, Language, Spanish, Healthcare, Nursing