Negative Immigrant Community Experiences (NICE): A scale development study.

The cultural tapestry of the United States has changed significantly in the past 10 y ears, particularly in the heartland, as Latina/o immigrants are moving to historically White Midwestern rural communities in search of job opportunities. To better assess the environmental context in community-based research, we developed the Negative Immigrant Community Experiences (NICE) scale, a community environment perception measure based on prior work on academic environments (Gloria & Kurpius. 1996) and acculturative stress (Mena, Padilla, & Maldonado. 1987; Rodriguez, Myers, Mira, Flores, & Garcia-Hernandez. 2002; Saldana, 1994). With a total of 460 immigrants living in 3 rural communities in the Midwest, the results of an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) suggested a 12-item, 3-factor solution: (a) Perceived Experience with Discrimination, (b) Perceived Language Ability Pressures, and (c) Perceived Negative Community Climate. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed and validated the EFA results with the split sample. The NICE scale showed adequate internal consistency along with evidence to support construct validity. Directions for future use of the scale in Latina/o and immigration psychology research and practice are provided.