Description

The Sociocultural Adaptation Scale (SAS-22) is a tool used to assess the level of sociocultural adaptation of individuals, particularly those in cross-cultural contexts such as immigrants, expatriates, international students, and travelers. The SAS-22 consists of 22 items that measure various aspects of an individual’s adaptation to a new cultural environment, including social skills, cultural understanding, and the ability to manage everyday life in a new setting.

Analysis and Use of Data

Data from the SAS-22 can be analyzed to understand how well individuals are adapting to a new cultural environment. This analysis typically involves:
Descriptive Statistics: Calculating means, standard deviations, and other descriptive statistics for each of the 22 items to understand the general trend of responses.
Factor Analysis: Conducting exploratory or confirmatory factor analysis to determine the underlying dimensions of sociocultural adaptation measured by the SAS-22. Previous studies have often found that SAS-22 items cluster into factors such as “cultural learning,” “interpersonal communication,” and “cognitive flexibility.”
Reliability Analysis: Assessing the internal consistency of the scale using Cronbach’s alpha. A Cronbach’s alpha above 0.7 is generally considered acceptable, indicating that the items reliably measure the same construct.
Comparative Analysis: Comparing scores across different groups (e.g., by nationality, length of stay, or type of cultural exposure) to determine differences in sociocultural adaptation levels.
Predictive Analysis: Using regression analysis to explore predictors of sociocultural adaptation, such as prior international experience, language proficiency, or personality traits.

Calibration

Calibration of the SAS-22 involves ensuring that the scale accurately measures sociocultural adaptation across different populations. This might include:
Cultural Sensitivity Testing: Ensuring that the items are culturally relevant and understandable in different cultural contexts.
Cross-Validation: Testing the scale in various populations to confirm that it operates similarly across different groups.
Item Response Theory (IRT): Using IRT models to assess the item characteristics and refine the scale for better accuracy and reliability across diverse groups.

Bibliography

Here are some key references that discuss the SAS-22 and its application in various research contexts:
Ward, C., & Kennedy, A. (1999). The measurement of sociocultural adaptation. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 23(4), 659-677.
This paper discusses the development of the SAS and its application in assessing sociocultural adaptation.
Wilson, J., Ward, C., & Fischer, R. (2013). Beyond culture learning theory: What can personality tell us about cultural competence? Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 44(6), 900-927.
The study explores how personality traits relate to sociocultural adaptation and the use of the SAS-22.
Demes, K. A., & Geeraert, N. (2014). Measures matter: Scales for adaptation, cultural distance, and acculturation orientation revisited. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 45(1), 91-109.
This paper revisits various scales used in cross-cultural psychology, including the SAS-22, and provides insights into their usage and reliability.
Matsumoto, D., & Hwang, H. C. (2013). Assessing cross-cultural competence: A review of available tests. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 44(6), 849-873.
A review of various tools for assessing cross-cultural competence, with references to the SAS-22 as one of the established measures.
Duan, C., & Brown, C. (2016). Sociocultural adaptation among international students: Mapping the path between personal, cultural, and contextual factors. Journal of International Students, 6(3), 678-695.
This paper specifically examines the factors influencing sociocultural adaptation among international students, with the SAS-22 used as a primary measurement tool.