The use of languages other than English in population-based surveys is necessitated by the linguistic diversities in the United States. However, inclusion of multiple languages in survey data collection raises concerns about whether an instrument administered in different languages functions equivalently across groups. Using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale 6 (K6), the present study examined differential item functioning (DIF) between surveys conducted either in English or the native language of the groups of Chinese Americans (n = 622), Korean Americans (n = 471), and Vietnamese Americans (n = 513). DIF analyses using a series of multiple-indicator multiple-cause models showed that there were substantial differences between English and non-English versions in the endorsement of the K6 items, with patterns that differed by ethnicity. The K4 (depressed) showed DIF in all three groups: Non-English survey users consistently showed a higher degree of endorsement compared with their English survey user counterparts. It is speculated that its translated expression in Asian languages may carry few associations with illness/disorder than the English word, thereby making it easy to endorse among Asian language survey users. Findings suggest a lack of measurement equivalence between the K6 administered in English and Asian languages and call for caution in cross-linguistic contexts.

中文翻译：

---

Kessler 6 (K6) 量表的英语与母语版本的测量等效性：在三个亚裔美国人群体中进行的考试。

在基于人口的调查中使用英语以外的语言是美国语言多样性的必要条件。然而，在调查数据收集中包含多种语言引发了对以不同语言管理的工具在不同群体中是否具有同等作用的担忧。本研究使用凯斯勒心理困扰量表 6 (K6)，检查了以英语或母语进行的华裔美国人 (n = 622)、韩裔美国人 (n = 471) 调查之间的差异项目功能 (DIF)和越南裔美国人（n = 513）。使用一系列多指标多原因模型的 DIF 分析表明，英语和非英语版本在 K6 项目的背书上存在显着差异，模式因种族而异。K4（抑郁）在所有三组中都表现出 DIF：与英语调查用户相比，非英语调查用户始终表现出更高的认可度。据推测，它在亚洲语言中的翻译表达可能比英语单词与疾病/障碍的关联更少，从而很容易在亚洲语言调查用户中得到认可。调查结果表明，在英语和亚洲语言中管理的 K6 之间缺乏测量等效性，并呼吁在跨语言环境中谨慎行事。据推测，它在亚洲语言中的翻译表达可能比英语单词与疾病/障碍的关联更少，从而很容易在亚洲语言调查用户中得到认可。调查结果表明，在英语和亚洲语言中管理的 K6 之间缺乏测量等效性，并呼吁在跨语言环境中谨慎行事。据推测，它在亚洲语言中的翻译表达可能比英语单词与疾病/障碍的关联更少，从而很容易在亚洲语言调查用户中得到认可。调查结果表明，在英语和亚洲语言中管理的 K6 之间缺乏测量等效性，并呼吁在跨语言环境中谨慎行事。