Table 3 Factor loading of five sub-scales of the cultural awareness scale (35 items variance = 44.33 %)

1. The instructors at this nursing school adequately address multicultural issues in nursing.

.666

-

-

-

-

2. This nursing school provides opportunities for activities related to multicultural affairs.

.628

-

-

-

-

3. Since entering this nursing school, my understanding of multicultural issues has increased.

.631

-

-

-

-

4. My experiences at this nursing school have helped me become knowledgeable about the health problems associated with various racial and cultural groups.

.653

-

-

-

-

5. I think my beliefs and attitudes are influenced by my culture.

-

.714

-

-

-

6. I think my behaviors are influenced by my culture.

-

.743

-

-

-

7. I often reflect on how culture affects beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors.

-

.504

-

-

-

8. When I have an opportunity to help someone, I offer assistance less frequently to individuals of certain cultural backgrounds.

-

-

-

.569

-

9. I am less patient with individuals of certain cultural backgrounds.

-

-

-

.781

-

10. I feel comfortable working with patients of all ethnic groups.

-

-

-

.523

-

11. I believe nurses’ own cultural beliefs influence their nursing care decisions.

-

.645

-

-

-

12. I typically feel somewhat uncomfortable when I am in the company of people from cultural or ethnic backgrounds different from my own.

-

-

-

.632

-

^a13. I have noticed that the instructors at this nursing school call on students from minority cultural groups when issues related to their group come up in class.

-

-

-

-

-

14. During group discussions or exercises, I have noticed the nursing instructors make efforts to ensure no student is excluded.

.327

-

-

-

-

15. I think students’ cultural values influence their classroom behaviors (e.g. asking questions, participating in groups, offering comments).

-

.703

-

-

-

16. In my nursing classes, my instructors have engaged in behaviors that may have made students from certain cultural backgrounds feel excluded.

.254

-

-

-

-

17. I think it is the nursing instructor’s responsibility to accommodate students’ diverse learning needs.

-

.206

-

-

-

18. My instructors at this nursing school seem comfortable discussing cultural issues in the classroom.

.684

-

-

-

-

19. My nursing instructors seem interested in learning how their classroom behaviors may discourage students from certain cultural or ethnic groups.

.491

-

-

-

-

20. I think the cultural values of the nursing instructors influence their behaviors in the clinical setting.

-

.546

-

-

-

21. I believe the classroom experiences at this nursing school help students become more comfortable interacting with people from different cultures.

.483

-

-

-

-

22. I believe some aspects of the classroom environment at this nursing school may alienate students from some cultural backgrounds.

.201

-

-

-

-

23. I feel comfortable discussing cultural issues in the classroom.

-

-

-

-

.507

24. My clinical courses at this nursing school have helped me become more comfortable interacting with people from different cultures.

.321

-

-

-

-

25. I feel that the instructors at this nursing school respect differences in individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.

.351

-

-

-

-

26. The instructors at this nursing school model behaviors that are sensitive to multicultural issues.

.717

-

-

-

-

27. The instructors at this nursing school use examples and/or case studies that incorporate information from various cultural and ethnic groups.

.502

-

-

-

-

28. The faculty at this nursing school conducts research that considers multicultural aspects of health-related issues.

-

-

.782

-

-

29. The students at this nursing school have completed theses and dissertation studies that considered cultural differences related to health issues.

-

-

.829

-

-

30. The researchers at this nursing school consider the relevance of data collection measures for the cultural groups they are studying.

-

-

.892

-

-

31. The researchers at this nursing school consider cultural issues when interpreting findings in their studies.

-

-

.884

-

-

32. I respect the decisions of my patients when they are influenced by their culture, even if I disagree.

-

-

-

-

.625

33. If I need more information about a patient’s culture, I would use resources available onsite

-

-

-

-

.578

34. If I need more information about a patient’s culture, I would feel comfortable asking people I work with.

-

-

-

-

.810

35. If I need more information about a patient’s culture, I would feel comfortable asking the patient or family member.

-

-

-

-

.825

36. I feel somewhat uncomfortable working with the families of patients from cultural backgrounds different than my own.

-

-

-

.647

-

Percentage of variance

12.666

9.344

8.634

7.950

5.740