ACCEPTABILITY OF THE CONNERS PARENT RATING-SCALE AND CHILD-BEHAVIOR CHECKLIST TO DAKOTAN LAKOTAN PARENTS/

Objective: The objective of this pilot study was to determine how Dako tan/Lakotan parents view the Conners Parent Rating Scale (CPRS) and Ch ild Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Method: Using a focus group methodology , four discussion groups were held in different sites across South Dak ota where the CPRS and CBCL were in clinical use. Results: Only two qu estions on each form were incomprehensible to these Dakotan/Lakotan pa rents. Other questions were hard to answer because certain questions c ontained implicit dominant cultural values that did not take into acco unt Dakotan/Lakotan cultural values or traditions, or the questions we re hard to answer because Dakotan/Lakotan believed their responses cou ld or would be misunderstood by members of the dominant culture who di d not understand Dakotan/Lakotan style or customs. Conclusions: The CP RS and CBCL were generally acceptable to Dakotan/Lakotan parents. Clin icians could make several statements to Native parents that would impr ove cultural acceptability.