Description
The ECRSS is a brief 11-item self-report measure designed to assess multiple dimensions of cultural connection and identity. Items address cultural pride, perspectives on culture as a source of strength or weakness, religious and spiritual identity, bilingualism, participation in tribal or spiritual activities, and use of ceremonial or spiritual resources and healers.
Unlike linear approaches, the ECRSS emphasizes a relational framework to understand identification and involvement with American Indian culture. Rather than focusing on problems or risk factors, the measure highlights worldview, sources of strength, and resilience.
The scale captures three primary domains:
- Religious/spiritual identity and community involvement
- Language use and bilingualism
- Ethnicity and cultural identity
AI/AN Communities where the measure has been used
A part of dissertation study.
Demographics of AI/AN participants where the scale has been used
Adults (range of 18-63). Male, female, non-binary. AI/AN
Notes on adaptations or modifications
The theoretical model used to guide this scale was based on the Relational Worldview approach developed by Cross (1995).
Modality and administration
Scoring
Participants rate their feelings about their cultural, spiritual, and religious background using a Likert-type scale ranging from Ashamed to Proud.
They also rate the extent to which they perceive their culture, spirituality, and religion as having a positive influence in their lives, on a scale from 0 (Not at all) to 4 (A lot).
Psychometric evidence
- Internal reliability: Excellent (α = .83 overall).
- Construct validity: Supported through factor analysis matching theoretical domains.
- Convergent & discriminant validity: Moderate correlations with expected constructs and none with unrelated ones.
Citation(s)
Long, C. R., & Nelson, K. (1999). Honoring Diversity: The Reliability, Validity, and Utility of a Scale to Measure Native American Resiliency. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 2(1- 2), 91-107.
Example citation:
Price, L. (2022). Resilience, spirituality, and cultural connectiveness within the Native American/American Indian Indigenous population [Doctoral dissertation, George Fox University]. George Fox University Digital Commons.
Note: 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.
