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ABSTRACT
Purpose
There is a growing literature on the importance of cultural adaptation of research-supported social work interventions. Few studies have however offered systematic methods for the a priori assessment of intervention fit in a new context. The current study explores the use of measurement invariance analyses to help identify whether key theoretical constructs in an intervention’s theory of change may fit differently in a new context.
Methods
We draw on data on 13 measures of key constructs in an intervention for youth leaving out-of-home care designed and trialed in the US context (N = 295; 53.1% girls, mean age 17.3) compared to Swedish adolescents (N = 104; 41% girls, mean age 17.5).
Results
In general, the results found all the measures to be invariant between US and Swedish samples.
Discussion
The original intervention (US) is likely to have a good fit in the new (Swedish) context in terms of the measurement and functionality of its key constructs. There are, however, some indications that certain aspects of the original key constructs may function differently in the Swedish context, highlighting a need to review either measurement or intervention design. A broader conclusion is that measurement invariance can provide a useful tool for research-supported social work practice, namely the systematic a priori assessment of the transferability of an intervention’s theory of change. Some limitations and methodological issues are discussed.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Ethical approval
The study is based on data collected for a previous study that was granted ethical approval on December 3rd 2018 by the Swedish regional ethics board (Dnr. 742-18). Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. The current study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments.
Credit author statement
RT formal analysis of YTPA and MLAC, writing original draft, evolution of goals and aims, review and editing. EV formal analysis of CDSE, RS and MYSE, writing original draft, review and editing. MB secured funding, data acquisition, and review. TO conceptualization, methodology, review, secured funding, data acquisition, and supervision. All authors approved the final version.