Date of Award

5-2025

Degree Type

Dissertation-Restricted

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Program

Counselor Education

Department

Counselor Education

Major Professor

Zarus Watson

Second Advisor

Michelle Wade

Third Advisor

Christopher Belser

Fourth Advisor

Ivanna Pogue-Vicks

Abstract

Abstract

This dissertation study developed and validated the Integrated-Cultural Well-Being Index (ICWI), a psychological measurement that assessed well-being across both Individualist-Cultural (IC) and Collectivist-Cultural (CC) dimensions. Grounded in Bronfenbrenner’s Process-Person-Context-Time (PPCT) model, the ICWI was conceptualized to reflect the multidimensional nature of well-being in modern integrated societies, where cultural boundaries are increasingly fluid. The ICWI consists of ten latent dimensions of well-being: self-determination, social relationships, self-enhancement, self-contentment, cultural identity, cultural coping skills, communalism, cultural spirituality, life satisfaction, and mental health.

A three-phase expert validation process was conducted, employing both content validity and inter-rater reliability methodologies. Content validity was assessed using the Expert Level Content Validity Index indices of Item-Level Content Validity Index (I-LCVI), Total Content Validity (T-CVI), and Scale-Level Content Validity Index Average (S-CVI/Ave). Inter-rater reliability was evaluated using Intra-Class Correlation Coefficients indices of Single Measure (SM), Average Measure (AM), Cronbach’s Alpha, and F-statistics.

In Phase One, 16 experts rated 55 items on relevance. Content validity scores were I-LCVI ≥ .78 for 31 out of 55 items, T-CVI = .82, S-CVI/Ave = .867. Inter-rater reliability yielded, SM-ICC = .129, AM-ICC = .961, Cronbach’s Alpha = .968, F (15, 840) = 37.226, p < .001.

In Phase Two, 16 experts evaluated 54 revised items across sufficiency, clarity, coherence, and relevance. Scores were I-LCVI ≥ .78 for 48 out of 54, T-CVI = .87, S-CVI/Ave = .931. Reliability scores were SM-ICC = .156, AM-ICC = .976, Cronbach’s Alpha = .977F (15, 840) = 41.051, p < .001.

In Phase Three, 22 experts rated 36 final items. Scores were I-LCVI ≥ .78 35 out of 36, T-CVI = .88, S-CVI/Ave = .912. Reliability scores were Cronbach’s Alpha = .958, AM-ICC = .956, SM-ICC = .131, F (21, 3003) = 23.631, p < .001.

The findings from this study suggest preliminary support for the Integrated Cultural Well-Being Index. Expert evaluations indicated that the ICWI items possess high levels of sufficiency, clarity, coherence, and relevance as indicators of culturally integrated well-being. Content validity scores exceeded established thresholds, and inter-rater reliability was consistently strong at the group level. These results provide a solid foundation for future studies and suggest the ICWI holds potential for application in research, clinical assessment, and policy development in diverse and integrated populations.

Keywords: Integrated Well-Being, Content Validity, Inter-Rater Reliability, Individualist, Collectivist, Cultural Identity, Psychometric Evaluation, PPCT Model

Rights

The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.

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