Description

The Cultural Connectedness Scale (CCS) is a self-report measure developed to assess Indigenous peoples’ sense of connection to their cultural identity, traditions, and spirituality. Created using a strengths-based, community-driven approach, the CCS was designed to operationalize Indigenous conceptualizations of wellness and resilience, providing a culturally grounded tool that reflects Indigenous worldviews rather than Western psychological constructs. The scale measures three interrelated domains: Cultural Identity, Traditions, and Spirituality. Higher scores indicate greater cultural connectedness, which has been associated with enhanced self-esteem, resilience, and positive mental health outcomes among Indigenous youth and adults. Several validated versions of the CCS exist:

  • CCS (original 29-item version) – developed for First Nations youth in Canada.
  • CCS-S (Short Version) – a 10-item abbreviated form for use in large-scale surveys.
  • CCS-CA (California Adaptation) – adapted for multi-tribal, urban Native American/Indigenous communities in the United States.

AI/AN Communities where the measure has been used

  • First Nations, Métis, and Inuit youth in Saskatchewan and Southwestern Ontario, Canada
  • Urban Indigenous and multi-tribal communities in California (through Urban Indian Health Organizations)
  • Native American adults in Montana
  • Native American/American Indian adults from various tribal affiliations across the United States

Demographics of AI/AN participants where the scale has been used

Youth (ages 11–29) in school-based samples; Adults aged 18–84 from diverse tribal affiliations; Mixed-gender samples; Participants from both reserve and urban Indigenous contexts

Notes on adaptations or modifications

  • CCS (original): 29 items across three domains: Cultural Identity, Traditions, and Spirituality. In some studies, a modified 27-item version of the measure was used.
  • CCS-S (Short Version): 10-item abbreviated scale validated among First Nations youth; CFA confirmed three-factor structure.
  • CCS-CA (California Adaptation): 29 items revised through community-based participatory research to reflect multi-tribal, urban Indigenous experiences (e.g., inclusion of intertribal relationships and community events).

Modality and administration

Self-report; paper-based or online survey (can also be administered verbally by community facilitators)

Scoring

  • Response format: 5-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree).
  • Some studies include Yes/No or frequency-based items for specific traditional practices.
  • Higher total and subscale scores indicate greater cultural connectedness.
  • Subscales: Cultural Identity, Traditions, and

Psychometric evidence

  • CCS (2015): Demonstrated strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = .86–.90) among 319 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit youth. Correlated positively with indicators of mental wellness.
  • CCS-S (2017): 10-item version validated with 290 First Nations youth; Cronbach’s α = .83–.89; confirmatory factor analysis supported the three-factor model; correlated with self-efficacy and life satisfaction.
  • CCS-CA (2023): 29-item adaptation validated with 361 multi-tribal Indigenous adults; Cronbach’s α = .96; demonstrated predictive validity for improved mental and physical health outcomes and reduced depression and substance use.

Citation(s)

Original Citation:

  • Snowshoe, A., Crooks, C. V., Tremblay, P. F., Craig, W. M., & Hinson, R. E. (2015). Development of a Cultural Connectedness Scale for First Nations Youth. Psychological Assessment, 27(1), 249–259. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0037867

Example Use Citations:

  • Snowshoe, A., Crooks, C. V., Tremblay, P. F., & Hinson, R. E. (2017). Cultural Connectedness and Its Relation to Mental Wellness for First Nations Youth. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 38(1–2), 67–86. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-016-0454-3
  • King, J., Masotti, P., Dennem, J., Hadani, S., Linton, J., Lockhart, B., & Bartgis, J. (2019). The Culture is Prevention Project: Adapting the Cultural Connectedness Scale for Multi-Tribal Communities. American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research, 26(3), 104–135. https://doi.org/10.5820/aian.2603.2019.104
  • Masotti, P., Dennem, J., Báñuelos, K., et al. (2020). The Culture is Prevention Project: Measuring Culture as a Social Determinant of Mental Health for Native/Indigenous Peoples. American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research, 27(1), 86–111. https://doi.org/10.5820/aian.2701.2020.86
  • Masotti, P., Dennem, J., Báñuelos, K., et al. (2023). The Culture is Prevention Project: Measuring Cultural Connectedness and Providing Evidence that Culture is a Social Determinant of Health for Native Americans. BMC Public Health, 23, 741. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15587-x
  • Ironside, A., Ferguson, L. J., Katapally, T. R., & Foulds, H. J. A. (2020). Cultural Connectedness as a Determinant of Physical Activity Among Indigenous Adults in Saskatchewan. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 45(9), 937–947. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2019-0793
  • Ironside, A., Ferguson, L. J., Katapally, T. R., Johnson, S. R., & Foulds, H. J. A. (2024). Associations of Cultural Characteristics with Sedentary Behaviour and Screen Time Among Indigenous Adults in Saskatchewan. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 31(1), 116–129. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-023-10167-0
  • Hansen, C. D. (2018). Risk and Resiliency Factors in Predicting Recidivism Among Native Americans on a Montana Reservation. University of Montana. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/11246
  • Price, L. (2022). Resilience, Spirituality, and Cultural Connectedness within the Native American/American Indian Indigenous Population. George Fox University. https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/psyd/442

Disclaimer: The included citations are not exhaustive, but represent the examples we had access to. If you are an original author or have other work that could be included here, please contact us.