Ethnic Identity Development Measures: Asian Values Scale

Developed to provide a more complete understanding of the acculturation process in Asian American populations, the Asian Values Scale (AVS) assesses the degree to which individuals adhere to traditional Asian values (e.g., deference to authority). Although a majority of acculturation scales currently used focus on behavioral aspects of the acculturation (e.g., language use), the AVS considers values in the acculturative process. Specifically, it explores the degree to which Asian Americans have maintained their (traditional) Asian cultural values while in the presence of Western culture and its value system (e.g., independence and autonomy). The AVS developers posited the necessity of assessing the value dimension of acculturation because they presupposed that the degree to which an individual espouses traditional Asian values changes at a slower rate than the degree to which the same individual engages in Asian behaviors (e.g., speaking an Asian language).

The AVS consists of 36 items that cover the following six-factor, analytically derived Asian cultural value dimensions: collectivism, conformity to norms, emotional self-control, family recognition through achievement, filial piety, and humility. These items were selected from an original pool of 112 by their ability to differentiate between first-generation Asian Americans and European Americans. Listed in random order, items are answered on a seven-point rating scale (1 = strongly disagree; 7 = strongly agree) in which the participant indicates the extent to which he or she agrees or disagrees with the item. For purposes of reliability, 18 of the 36 items are reverse scored. The AVS total score is obtained by adding the item scores together. The scaled score is obtained by dividing the total score by 36 and is used in determining the subject's adherence to Asian cultural values. Thus, scores on the AVS range from 1 to 7 (with 1 indicating the least adherence and 7 indicating the greatest adherence to Asian values).