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The Multidimensional Loss Scale: validating a cross-cultural instrument for measuring loss
Lyn Vromans1, Robert D Schweitzer, Mark Brough
1School of Psychology and Counselling, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. lyn.vromans@acu.edu.au
The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
|March 30, 2012
Summary
The Multidimensional Loss Scale (MLS) is a new tool to measure refugee loss experiences and distress. It shows good reliability and validity for assessing multidimensional loss in refugee settlement.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Refugee Studies
Background:
- Refugee settlement involves significant loss across cultural, social, material, and intrapersonal domains.
- Existing instruments may not adequately capture the multidimensional nature of loss experienced by refugees.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and validate the Multidimensional Loss Scale (MLS).
- To assess the experience of loss events and loss distress in recently settled refugees.
Main Methods:
- The MLS was administered to 70 recently settled Burmese adult refugees.
- Analyses included internal consistency, convergent/divergent validity, and factor structure assessment.
Main Results:
- The MLS demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency for both Experience of Loss Events (α = 0.85) and Loss Distress (α = 0.92).
- Loss Distress showed good divergent validity from depression/anxiety and convergent validity with grief/trauma symptoms.
- Factor analysis supported a five-factor model: Loss of Symbolic Self, Interdependence, Home, Interpersonal Loss, and Intrapersonal Integrity.
Conclusions:
- The MLS is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring multidimensional loss in refugee populations.
- The scale shows promise for research and clinical practice in refugee settlement contexts.
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