The use of the Puerto Rican biculturality scale with Puerto Rican drug users in New York and Puerto Rico

This study examines the psychometric properties of an acculturation scale specifically developed for Puerto Ricans with a sample of substance abusers residing in Puerto Rico and New York. In line with current conceptual models of acculturation, this instrument departs from a mutually exclusive or zero-sum conceptualization of acculturation by assessing involvement in both American and Puerto Rican cultures independently of each other. Findings from this study permitted comparisons of acculturation as experienced by Puerto Rican injection drug users in Puerto Rico and New York. Results supported the notion of independence of individuals' involvement in American and Puerto Rican cultures, thus confirming the complex nature of biculturalism. This article also examines the relevance of the study of acculturation scales that can assist in identifying the influences of the cultures of origin and destination on substance abuse and HIV risk behaviors.