Asian Values Scale (AVS)

Abstract

The Asian Values Scale (AVS) is a 36-item psychological instrument developed by Kim, Atkinson, and Yang (1999) to measure the degree of adherence to traditional Asian cultural values among individuals of Asian heritage. This scale is fundamental for research in cross-cultural psychology, particularly for examining cultural dissonance, acculturation stress, and the efficacy of counseling for Asian American populations. The AVS operationalizes several key cultural tenets, including collectivism, family interdependence, and emotional restraint, providing a quantitative method for assessing cultural orientation.

Keywords

Asian Values Scale, AVS, Collectivism, Filial Piety, emotional control, modesty, cultural norms, psychological assessment, family reputation, counseling psychology.

Authors

Kim, B., Atkinson, D., & Yang, P.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the AVS is to provide researchers and clinicians with a psychometrically sound tool for measuring the endorsement of traditional Asian cultural values. This measurement is critical for understanding the psychological functioning and adjustment of individuals from Asian backgrounds, especially those navigating Western societal contexts.

By quantifying adherence to these values, the AVS allows for the investigation of how cultural orientation interacts with mental health variables, such as depression, anxiety, and help-seeking behaviors. It specifically aids in identifying potential conflicts arising from differing value systems between generations or between the individual and the surrounding culture.

Construct

The AVS measures the multidimensional construct of traditional Asian values, which are largely derived from Confucian philosophical traditions emphasizing social harmony, hierarchy, and interdependence. This construct is generally broken down into several core factors:

• Collectivism and Conformity: The prioritization of group or family needs over individual desires, and adherence to established familial and social norms.
• Filial Piety and Authority: Respect for elders, acceptance of hierarchical roles, and the obligation to care for parents and uphold the family legacy.
• Emotional Self-Control: The belief that strength is demonstrated through the restraint of emotional expression and the maintenance of tranquility.
• Humility and Modesty: The tendency to minimize or depreciate one’s own achievements to avoid boastfulness and maintain harmonious social relations.

Validity

The original research by Kim, Atkinson, and Yang (1999) established robust evidence for the validity of the AVS. Construct validity was supported through rigorous factor analysis, confirming that the scale’s items load onto theoretically consistent factors reflective of core Asian values.

Furthermore, studies have demonstrated strong convergent validity, showing significant correlations between AVS scores and established measures of related constructs, such as individualism-collectivism scales and acculturation measures. The scale effectively differentiates between individuals with high versus low adherence to traditional values, supporting its utility in cross-cultural psychological research.

Reliability

The reliability of the Asian Values Scale was rigorously assessed during its development, primarily through internal consistency measures. The overall scale, as well as its derived subscales, demonstrated high levels of internal consistency, evidenced by strong Cronbach’s alpha coefficients (typically ranging above .80 in published studies).

This high internal consistency indicates that the items within the scale consistently measure the intended underlying dimensions of traditional Asian values. Additionally, subsequent research has confirmed the scale’s stability through acceptable test-retest reliability over various time intervals, making it a dependable measure for longitudinal studies.

Factor Analysis

The initial factor analysis of the AVS utilized principal components analysis to determine the underlying structure of the 36 items. This analysis resulted in the identification of several primary factors, which align with the core dimensions of Asian cultural values.

These factors empirically support the theoretical conceptualization of Asian values as a multifaceted construct, allowing researchers to examine specific components—such as family expectations or emotional control—rather than relying solely on a single, overall score. The resulting factor structure has been generally replicated across various samples of Asian descent, reinforcing the scale’s structural integrity.

Instrument

Test Type: Psychometric self-report inventory

Format: 7-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (Strongly disagree) to 7 (Strongly agree).

Language Available: Primarily English (Original). Translations may exist depending on specific research contexts.

Population Group: Individuals of Asian descent, particularly Asian Americans and East Asian populations.

Age Group: Typically utilized with adolescents and adults.

Population Details: The scale is often employed in university settings with Asian American student populations, though it is applicable to broader community samples.

Test Methodology: Standard self-administered paper-and-pencil or digital questionnaire format.

Keywords

Psychometrics, acculturation, cross-cultural counseling, family expectations, emotional regulation, shame, reputation, achievement, Collectivism, cultural competence.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not provided in the source material.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not provided in the source material.

Correspondence Address: Correspondence should be directed via the institutional affiliation listed in the original publication (Kim, Atkinson, & Yang, 1999).

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The original scale was developed and published in 1999. The publication is copyrighted by the American Psychological Association (APA).

Researchers intending to use the AVS should seek permission from the APA or the primary author, particularly if the usage is commercial or involves significant modifications. Academic use often requires appropriate citation and adherence to standard ethical guidelines.

Reference’s

• Kim, B., Atkinson, D. & Yang, P. (1999). The Asian Values Scale: Development, factor analysis, validation, and reliability. J Counsel Psychol, 46, Table 1, pp. 345, 346. Copyright # 1999 by the American Psychological Association. Adapted with permission.

Items of the Asian Values Scale (AVS)

Instructions: Use the scale below to indicate the extent to which you agree with the value expressed in each statement.

1 = Strongly disagree

2 = Moderately disagree

3 = Mildly disagree

4 = Neither Agree nor disagree

5 = Mildly agree

6 = Moderately agree

7 = Strongly agree

1. Educational failure does not bring shame to the family.
2. One should not deviate from familial and social norms.
3. Children should not place their parents in retirement homes.
4. One need not focus all energies on one’s studies.
5. One should be discouraged from talking about one’s accomplishments.
6. One should not be boastful.
7. Younger persons should be able to confront their elders.
8. When one receives a gift‚ one should reciprocate with a gift of equal or greater value.
9. One need not follow one’s family’s and the society’s norms.
10. One need not achieve academically in order to make one’s parents proud.
11. One need not minimize or depreciate one’s own achievements.
12. One should consider the needs of others before considering one’s own needs.
13. Educational and career achievements need not be one’s top priority.
14. One should think about one’s group before oneself.
15. One should be able to question a person in an authority position.
16. Modesty is an important quality for a person.
17. One’s achievements should be viewed as family’s achievements.
18. Elders may not have more wisdom than younger persons.
19. One should avoid bringing displeasure to one’s ancestors.
20. One need not conform to one’s family’s and the society’s expectations.
21. One should have sufficient inner resources to resolve emotional problems.
22. Parental love should be implicitly understood and not openly expressed.
23. The worst thing one can do is to bring disgrace to one’s family reputation.
24. One need not remain reserved and tranquil.
25. The ability to control one’s emotions is a sign of strength.
26. One should be humble and modest.
27. Family’s reputation is not the primary social concern.
28. One need not be able to resolve psychological problems on one’s own.
29. Following familial and social expectations are important.
30. One should not inconvenience others.
31. Occupational failure does not bring shame to the family.
32. One need not follow the role expectations (gender‚ family hierarchy) of one’s family.
33. One should not make waves.
34. Children need not take care of their parents when the parents become unable to take care of themselves.
35. One need not control one’s expression of emotions.
36. One’s family need not be the main source of trust and dependence.