Migrants Psychosocial Maladjustment Scale (MPMS): Pilot Study
Background: One of the defining global issues of the XXI century is sharply increased world population mobility. Number of people who were forced or voluntarily left their homeland in search of better life, for the last 15 years has increased by 41%. Forced (and voluntary) immigrants are fully exposed to traumatic emotional experience of immigration where maladjustment is often an outcome. Objective: The present study represents problem of psychosocial adaptation of temporary migrants in a new country. It gives psychometric characteristics of Migrants Psychosocial Maladjustment Scale (MPMS) in a pilot study. Methods: The first stage of the pilot study of migrants’ psychosocial maladjustment comprised literature review. As a theoretical framework, we chose theory of cognitive adaptation, transactional model of adaptation to stress and cognitive-behavioral model of coping behavior. Methodological basis for creation of MPMS scale was diagnostics and treatment of psychosocial distress developed and described by American Psychiatric Association. The second stage of the pilot study was dedicated to formulation of MPMS statements, their revision and adjustment. Then, we analyzed the psychometric properties of the scale using a sample of international students, studying in Universities of Ukraine. Results: We tested stability and internal consistency to determine the reliability of MPMS. Pearson correlation coefficient between the results of first and second test was 0.87, p < 0.05, and Cronbach's alpha coefficient - 0.91, that indicates a high test-retest reliability and internal consistency of the scale. MPMS content validity was provided by maximum conformity of test material content to the concept of individual’s maladjustment. MPMS construct validity was assessed by comparing the scale with instruments dealing with psychological adaptation problems. Conclusion: MPMS scale sufficiently meets basic psychometric requirements for psycho diagnostic instruments, and can be recommended for use in practice. We also plan to study criterion validity of the scale, using second year migrants-students’ school successes as an objective validation criteria.