Bicultural Identity in Childhood: Preliminary Validation of the Bicultural Identity Integration Scale for Children (BIIS-C)

Objective: In the present study, we adapted and validated the Bicultural Identity Integration Scale for Children (BIIS-C). Method: 259 bicultural children (119 males, 140 females; M (age) = 11.07, SD = 1.24) were provided with a questionnaire. Based on adult versions of the scale, we tested the factorial structure of a set of 11 nonreversed items tapping into harmony (vs. conflict; six items) and blendedness (vs. compartmentalization; five items) dimensions. Results: A two-factor model was compared with a one-factor model. In line with research on adults, results showed that the two-factor model (with nine items) fitted the data better than the one-factor model. The two dimensions yielded reliable scores and were correlated in the expected direction with personality variables, acculturation attitudes, and perceived discrimination. Conclusions: The BIIS-C provides valid and reliable scores for research on biculturalism in childhood.Public Significance Statement Bicultural identity integration (BII) is important for biculturals' general wellbeing. Thus, research in this area is needed. Yet, studies on BII in children are scarce mainly because of lack of a specific measure for children. This study aims to fill this gap by providing a validation of a BII scale for children.