Translating the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL-25) into Dinka, a South Sudanese tribal language

Abstract

Translation and cultural adaptation of screening tools is an essential first step when assessing the mental health status of those from diverse cultures. This article presents a translated and culturally adapted version of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL-25), a measure of anxiety and depression, from English into Dinka, a South Sudanese tribal language. The HSCL-25 was translated and blindly back translated independently by two native South Sudanese from the Dinka tribe, a man and a woman, who came to the US as refugees. Once consensus was reached between the two translators, the Dinka translation was reviewed by a focus group of five native Dinka speakers. The original English version and the newly translated Dinka version were critically evaluated for cultural relevance and semantic congruence. Adjustments were made as a result of the focus group discussion, and a final Dinka version was created.