Description

The Reflective Processes Scale (RPS), or Umyuangcaryaraq (a Yup’ik Alaska Native word meaning “Reflecting”), is a culturally grounded measure developed to assess youth awareness of and reflection on the potential negative consequences of alcohol use. The RPS is considered a protective factor for alcohol misuse and suicide risk among Alaska Native youth. Items ask participants to consider how their actions may affect themselves, their families, and their communities, and the measure was designed in collaboration with community co-researchers to reflect Yup’ik values and ways of thinking.

AI/AN Communities where the measure has been used

Rural Alaska Native communities (majority Yup’ik)

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

Youth (age 12-18)

Notes on adaptations or modifications

  1. The original adult Yup’ik Protective Factors scale (Allen et al., 2006) was adapted for adolescents. Items were adapted in an iterative process using cultural consultants, community co-researchers, and cognitive interviewing with focus groups. Additional age-appropriate rewording was done to ensure items did not assume prior alcohol use (since many younger adolescents had no prior experience).
  2. Two items were dropped, resulting in a 10-item scale.
  3. In Allen et al. (2023), a 6-item version of the RPS was used within the Qungasvik (Tools for Life) intervention.

Modality and administration

Self-report; administered in school computer labs via a secure web server.

Scoring

  • The RPS is administered via a graphical continuous analog scale with a salmon pointer across a blue water background, anchored at Not at all – Somewhat – A lot.
  • In psychometric testing (2012), responses were coded into 20 equal intervals and often transformed into 5 Likert categories.
  • Item response theory (IRT) results suggested that a binary response format may be optimal in some applications.
  • Higher scores indicate greater engagement in reflective processes about the consequences of alcohol use.

Psychometric evidence

Allen et al. (2012) provided strong evidence of construct validity and internal consistency. A bifactor structure with three content domains (Things I Want for Myself, Things I Want for My Family, Things I Want for Our Way of Life) was supported.

Citation(s)

Original Citations:

  • Allen, J., Mohatt, G. V., Rasmus, S. M., Hazel, K. L., Thomas, L., & Lindley, S. (2006). The Tools to Understand: Community as Co-Researcher on Culture-Specific Protective Factors for Alaska Natives. Journal of Prevention & Intervention in the Community, 32(1–2), 41–59. https://doi.org/10.1300/J005v32n01_04
  • Allen, J., Fok, C. C. T., Henry, D., Skewes, M., & People Awakening Team. (2012). Umyuangcaryaraq “reflecting”: Multidimensional assessment of reflective processes on the consequences of alcohol use among rural Yup’ik Alaska Native youth. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 38(5), 468–475. https://doi.org/10.3109/00952990.2012.702169

Example Use Citations:

  • Allen, J., Mohatt, G. V., Fok, C. C., Henry, D., Burkett, R., & People Awakening Team. (2014). A protective factors model for alcohol abuse and suicide prevention among Alaska Native youth. American Journal of Community Psychology, 54(1–2), 125–139. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-014-9661-3
  • Allen, J., Charles, B., Fok, C. C. T., Lee, K., Grogan-Kaylor, A., Qungasvik Team, & Rasmus, S. (2023). Culturally grounded strategies for suicide and alcohol risk prevention delivered by rural Alaska Native communities: A dynamic wait-listed design evaluation of the Qungasvik intervention. American Journal of Community Psychology, 71(1–2), 184–197. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12621

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.