Hawaiian Culture Scale – Adolescent (HCS-A-4)

Description

The Hawaiian Culture Scale – Adolescent (HCS-A-4) is a psychometrically developed assessment instrument designed to evaluate the extent to which adolescents identify with and engage in the cultural values, traditions, and heritage of Native Hawaiian culture. The scale provides a multidimensional assessment of cultural connectedness by examining the individual’s relationship with key cultural domains that contribute to identity formation and psychosocial well-being.

The HCS-A-4 evaluates four fundamental dimensions of Hawaiian cultural identity, including family cohesion, spirituality, cultural traditions, and community connectedness. These domains reflect the core values of Native Hawaiian culture and measure adolescents’ emotional attachment, participation in cultural practices, and sense of belonging within their cultural environment.

As cultural identity has been consistently associated with resilience, psychological adjustment, and positive youth development, the HCS-A-4 serves as an important instrument for both research and applied practice among indigenous and multicultural populations.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Hawaiian Culture Scale – Adolescent is to provide a reliable and valid measure of adolescents’ connection to their Native Hawaiian cultural heritage. The instrument enables researchers, educators, clinicians, and community organizations to better understand how cultural identity contributes to adolescent development and overall well-being.

The HCS-A-4 is widely used in studies investigating cultural resilience, identity development, family functioning, educational engagement, mental health, and community participation. It also supports the design and evaluation of culturally responsive educational, psychological, and community-based intervention programs aimed at strengthening cultural identity and promoting positive developmental outcomes.

Analysis and Use of Data

Responses collected through the HCS-A-4 are typically analyzed using a variety of descriptive and inferential statistical procedures. Descriptive analyses include the calculation of means, standard deviations, score distributions, and frequency statistics for each item and cultural dimension, providing an overview of participants’ cultural engagement.

The instrument’s internal consistency is commonly evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha, while additional psychometric analyses may include McDonald’s Omega, item-total correlations, and split-half reliability to further assess measurement reliability.

Construct validity is frequently examined through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to verify the four-factor structure of the scale. Researchers may also investigate convergent and discriminant validity by examining relationships between HCS-A-4 scores and other measures of cultural identity, resilience, psychological well-being, family functioning, and social support.

Correlation analyses are often performed to explore associations among the four cultural dimensions, while regression models and structural equation modeling (SEM) may be employed to examine the predictive role of cultural identity on psychological, educational, and behavioral outcomes.

The HCS-A-4 has become a valuable instrument in cross-cultural and indigenous research by providing a standardized framework for assessing cultural connectedness among adolescents.

Scoring

The Hawaiian Culture Scale – Adolescent is scored by summing or averaging participants’ responses within each of the four cultural dimensions. Individual dimension scores can be interpreted independently, while an overall cultural connectedness score may also be calculated depending on the research protocol.

Higher scores indicate stronger identification with Native Hawaiian cultural values, greater participation in traditional practices, stronger family and community connections, and a deeper sense of cultural identity. Lower scores suggest weaker cultural engagement or reduced perceived connection with Hawaiian cultural traditions.

Researchers are encouraged to examine both total and subscale scores to obtain a comprehensive understanding of adolescents’ cultural experiences and identity development.

References

McCubbin, H. I., & Patterson, J. (1983). Family Member Well-being Index (FMWB). In H. I. McCubbin, A. I. Thompson, & M. A. McCubbin (Eds.), Family Assessment: Resiliency, Coping, and Adaptation: Inventories for Research and Practice (pp. 753–782). University of Wisconsin.

McCubbin, H. I., Thompson, A. I., Thompson, E. A., Elver, K. M., & McCubbin, M. A. (1998). Ethnicity, Schema, and Coherence: Appraisal Processes for Families in Crisis. In H. I. McCubbin, E. A. Thompson, A. I. Thompson, & J. E. Fromer (Eds.), Stress, Coping, and Health in Families: Sense of Coherence and Resiliency (pp. 41–67).

McCubbin, H. I., Thompson, A. I., Elver, K. M., & Carpenter, K. (1992). Family Schema–Ethnic (FSCH-E). In H. I. McCubbin, A. I. Thompson, & M. A. McCubbin (Eds.), Family Assessment: Resiliency, Coping, and Adaptation: Inventories for Research and Practice (pp. 713–721). University of Wisconsin.

McCubbin, H. I., Thompson, A. I., & McCubbin, M. A. (1996). Family Assessment: Resiliency, Coping, and Adaptation. University of Wisconsin.

McCubbin, L. D., & McCubbin, H. I. (2005). Culture and Ethnic Identity in Family Resilience: Dynamic Processes in Trauma and Transformation of Indigenous People. In M. Ungar (Ed.), Pathways to Resilience (pp. 27–44). Sage Publications.

Phan, T. K. (2012). Exploring the Influence of Family Worldview and Cultural Socialization on Positive Outcomes in American Indian Youth. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Oregon.