Adaptation and cross-cultural validation of the Basic Conversational Skills Module in Bulgaria

Abstract

A three-stage 'problem-oriented' approach to cultural adaptation of the Basic Conversation Skills Module (BCSM) was applied with patients having schizophrenic or affective disorders in Bulgaria. The adaptation proceeded through: (1) identification of possible problems in the initial process of training; (2) a social validation stage for statistical verification of these problems in a broader social context; and (3) refining the components of the training process and testing the revised version of the BCSM with a second group of patients. The study revealed the cultural specificity of two conversational behaviors: 'opening lines' for starting a conversation and 'making self-disclosure'. The utility of the adapted BCSM in Bulgaria was highlighted. The proposed procedure seems suitable for adaptation of similar psychosocial rehabilitation programs from one culture to another.