Validation and Adaptation of Perceived Societal Marginalization Scale among the Sample of Igbo Ethnic Group of South East, Nigeria

Abstract

The present study tries to validate and develop a sound psychometric scale that can be used to measure perceived societal marginalization (PSM) in Nigerian context, particularly among Igbo sample. Perceived societal marginalization, defined as people’s subjective perceptions of the lack of recognition of their own social groups in the domains of economy, culture, and politic, is known to be a predisposition that individuals or group living with it anxiously struggle with identity status and discontent in the current globalization and modernization. While the literature identifies several psychological determinants of this discontent, systematic measurement approaches based on welldefined
constructs that cut across cultures are rare. Here, we tried to validate and adapt perceived
societal marginalization of Bollerk, Schlipphak and Back (2021) to suit Nigeria context. We
administered the questionnaire to 160 respondents (valid) to determine its factor structure and the data collected were subjected to factor analysis (validity and reliability) using SPSS 23. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was carried out and varimax rotation technique was used for rotating the factors. PCA yielded two instead of three-factor structure, with cultural dimensions removed due to cross and low loading of the items. The two remaining factors accounted for .68% of the variance. The present scale can be used for further research and can serve as a guide for development of intervention program concerning marginalization crisis in Nigeria to build an integrated and peaceful developed nation.