Assessing the Measurement of Acculturation: Psychometric Evidence of the Vancouver Index Among MENA Immigrants In the U.S.

Background and Purpose
Measuring acculturation among immigrants can help explain how cultural identity, systemic barriers, and acculturative stress impact their health, education, and economic outcomes. Despite acculturation being a key determinant of immigrant outcomes, its measurement remains inconsistent across studies. The Vancouver Index of Acculturation (VIA), a widely used bidimensional measure assessing heritage and mainstream cultural orientations, is frequently applied to Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) immigrant populations in the US. However, it is unclear if the VIA adequately captures the unique sociopolitical, cultural, and post-migration experiences of MENA immigrants, particularly given their underrepresentation and misclassification in U.S. datasets. To date, no systematic review has evaluated the psychometric qualities and application of the VIA within this population. This review aims to collect and assess empirical literature that uses the VIA scale to measure acculturation with MENA immigrants in the US.

Methods
A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Electronic database searches (PsycINFO, Academic Search Complete, Social Sciences Full Text, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses) identified studies published from 2000 onward. Inclusion criteria required studies to include MENA immigrant samples in the U.S., report quantitative use of the VIA, and present disaggregated findings for MENA participants. Two reviewers conducted screening and full text review using Covidence, with disagreements resolved through consensus. Data extraction included study design, sample characteristics, reported psychometric characteristics of the VIA scale (reliability, validity, and factor validity analyses), and significant outcomes.

Results
A total of 22 studies met inclusion criteria, representing 5,242 participants with samples heavily skewed toward Arab and student populations. Internal consistency estimates for the VIA varied widely (α = .67–.94), indicating inconsistent reported reliability across studies. Notably, no studies reported test–retest reliability, interrater reliability, or factor validity analyses, highlighting significant gaps in psychometric evaluation. Considerable variability was observed in how the VIA was operationalized, including use of composite versus subscale scores and treatment of acculturation as a unidimensional construct. Associations between acculturation and health outcomes, including mental health, help-seeking behaviors, and preventive care, were inconsistent across studies, likely reflecting heterogeneity in measurement approaches and sample characteristics. Overall, findings suggest limited standardization and insufficient validation of the VIA for MENA populations.

Conclusions and Implications
This review identifies critical limitations in the use of the VIA with MENA immigrants, including inconsistent operationalization and a lack of rigorous psychometric validation. These gaps limit the interpretability of findings and ability to draw meaningful conclusions about the role of acculturation in MENA health and well-being. Findings underscore the need for validation studies, including confirmatory factor analysis and longitudinal reliability testing, as well as consideration of culturally specific measures that better capture the unique experiences of MENA populations. For social work research and practice, improving the measurement of acculturation is essential to accurately assess needs, inform culturally responsive interventions, and address health disparities among MENA immigrants.