Multiple-method, cross-cultural assessment of psychological distress

The purpose of this study was to test the validity of cross-cultural use of a standardized instrument to measure psychological distress by triangulation of data obtained through a multiple-method approach. The sample consisted of 25 adult Polish immigrants who had at least a basic command of the English language. The three methodological approaches included a paper-and-pencil self-report instrument (Brief Symptom Inventory [BSI], verbal self-reports elicited during an in-depth interview, and micro-level and macro-level observations. The translated BSI was relatively valid except for the psychoticism, paranoid and interpersonal sensitivity subscales. Invalidity could be explained through information gathered by other methods. The importance of instrument translation for cross-cultural use and the need to incorporate multiple-method assessment into both clinical practice with ethnic populations and cross-cultural research are discussed.