Acculturation Index for Mexican Americans (AIMA)
Measures acculturation levels in Mexican Americans through language use and self-definition as an insider or outsider.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Acculturation Index for Mexican Americans (AIMA) was developed by Arch G. Mainous III (1989). It is designed to measure Acculturation. The scale is intended for use with Mexican Americans.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 9 items organized into 3 factors/subscales: Language, Self-definition as an Insider, Self-definition as an Outsider.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Language | 1,2,3 | 3 |
| Self-definition as an Insider | 4,5,6,7 | 4 |
| Self-definition as an Outsider | 8,9 | 2 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: Items 1-3 = 1 = English only; 2 = Mostly English; 3 = Both languages about equal; 4 = Mostly Spanish; 5 = Spanish only, Items 4-7 = 1 = American of Mexican descent; 2 = Mexican American; 3 = US Citizen; 4 = US Native, Items 8-9 = 1 = Foreigner; 2 = Immigrant.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Not specified.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.