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

Martha B Baird, Elizabeth Skariah

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.

 


Keywords


Sudanese refugees, Dinka, depression, anxiety, Hopkins Symptom Checklist 25, HSCL-25, translation of mental health screening instruments

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