Validation of the Brief Perceived Ethnic Discrimination Questionnaire-Community Version in American Indians

Objective: The Brief Perceived Ethnic Discrimination Questionnaire-Community Version (PEDQ-CVB) is a widely used, multidimensional measure of exposure to ethnic/racial discrimination. The PEDQ-CVB has not been previously validated for use with American Indians, who have endured a unique history of colonization, cultural oppression, and ongoing discrimination. This study examined the measurement invariance of the PEDQ-CVB in American Indians (AIs) and 4 other groups. Additional analyses assessed the scale's convergent and discriminant validity and provided initial evidence of associations with mental and physical health in AIs. Method: Primary data were collected from a community sample of urban-dwelling AIs (n = 222), which included measures of ethnic/racial identity, other life stressors, and mental and physical health, along with the PEDQ-CVB. These were supplemented by secondary analysis of PEDQ-CVB data from African Americans (n = 1176), Latinos (n = 564), East Asian Americans (n = 274), and South Asian Americans (n = 242). Results: The PEDQ-CVB demonstrated measurement invariance across the 5 ethnic/racial groups and convergent and discriminant validity in AIs. The PEDQ-CVB was significantly associated with depressive symptoms and physical limitations in AIs, after controlling for relevant demographics. Conclusion: This study provides strong evidence that the PEDQ-CVB behaves consistently for AIs and other underrepresented ethnic/racial groups. As such, the PEDQ-CVB allows for documentation of the experiences of different ethnic/racial groups and provides a means to test theoretical models of the antecedents and consequences of perceived discrimination within and across groups.

Automated summary

This study provides strong evidence that the PEDQ-CVB behaves consistently across American Indians and other underrepresented ethnic/racial groups. The questionnaire demonstrated measurement invariance and validity in American Indians, showing significant associations with depressive symptoms and physical limitations.