Cultural adaptation, translation, and validation of the Measure of Indigenous Racism Experiences Scale for Indigenous gay and bisexual men in Guatemala
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22433442 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Catherine Purnell (0009-0000-4015-5419, Duke University, corresponding author), José Yac (Asociación Demográfica Costarricense), Brandon Merida (United Nations Industrial Development Organization), João Ricardo Nickenig Vissoci (0000-0001-7276-0402, Duke University), E Roberto Orellana (0000-0003-4444-2321, University of Washington), Dirk A Davis (0000-0002-7056-427X, Wake Forest University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 14 |
| Publication date | 2026-07-13 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1864458 |
| OpenAlex | W7168164963 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 28 |
Introduction Among Indigenous communities, racism is associated with negative health effects, including worsened physical and mental health outcomes and less engagement with health services. Despite nearly half of Guatemalans identifying as Indigenous, there have been no scales developed and validated to measure self-reported racism in Indigenous populations in Guatemala, nor elsewhere in Latin America. This study validates the Measure of Indigenous Racism Experiences (MIRE) scale, originally developed to measure racism experiences with Aboriginal populations in Australia, for use in Guatemala among Indigenous gay and bisexual men (GBM) population. The MIRE scale uses 16 items to measure three dimensions of self-reported racism: internalized, systemic, and interpersonal. Methods The MIRE scale was translated into Spanish and tested with 395 Indigenous GBM in Guatemala. Construct validity was tested through confirmatory factor analysis using the three predetermined dimensions of racism. Three previously reported associations between dimensions were used to test the external validity and were confirmed using cross-tabulations and chi-square tests. Reliability of the scale was tested using Cronbach's alpha. A modification index was used to determine any necessary changes to item categorization within the dimensions. Results After removing one scale item and reorganizing another in line with a modification index, the MIRE-Guatemala scale showed good internal validity (CFI = 0.901, SRMR = 0.066, RMSEA = 0.078, 90%CI: 0.067, 0.089). One of the hypothesized trends in the new MIRE-Guatemala scale was confirmed, and another was supported, indicating mixed results for external validity. The Cronbach's alpha for the three dimensions of racism all showed good reliability (α = 0.75, 0.79, 0.86). Discussion The MIRE-Guatemala scale showed good internal validity and reliability to be validated for use among Indigenous GBM in Guatemala. External validity is moderate and should be tested further. The validated scale has strong potential to capture the racism experiences of Indigenous GBM in Guatemalan with further research and validation. Research should continue to develop and validate measures to assess Indigenous racism throughout the region.
Categorization · Confirmatory factor analysis · Construct validity · Indigenous · Mental health · Psychometrics · Racism · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Indigenous Health and Education · Indigenous Health, Education, and Rights
Challenges and opportunities in examining and addressing intersectional stigma and health
Using the Modification Index and Standardized Expected Parameter Change for Model Modification
Chi‐square for model fit in confirmatory factor analysis
Fit indices in covariance structure modeling
Power analysis and determination of sample size for covariance structure modeling.
Racism as a Determinant of Health
Making sense of Cronbach's alpha
Measuring emotional and social wellbeing in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations
Racism and Indigenous Adolescent Development
Exploring relationships between racism, housing and child illness in remote indigenous communities
An Expanded Definition of Intersectional Stigma for Public Health Research and Praxis
Assessing Reliability and Stability in Panel Models
Experiences of racism among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults living in the Australian state of Victoria
Caregiver-perceived racial discrimination is associated with diverse mental health outcomes in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 7–12 years
The effects of perceived racism on psychological distress mediated by venting and disengagement coping in Native Hawaiians
Racial/Ethnic Differences in Self-Reported Racism and Its Association With Cancer-Related Health Behaviors
Development and validation of the Measure of Indigenous Racism Experiences (Mire)
The Perceived Ethnic Discrimination Questionnaire
Systemic And Structural Racism
Doblemente tachada
| Highly cited | No |
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