Relationships among bilingualism, critical thinking ability, and critical thinking disposition

Evidence exists supporting relationships between bilingualism and many cognitive factors. Research, however, has not been conducted to specifically examine the relationships among bilingualism, critical thinking ability, and critical thinking disposition of baccalaureate nursing students. This cross-sectional study used a pooled, within-bilingual, correlational design to examine such relationships. Specific research questions posed were: (1) is there a statistically significant curvilinear relationship between bilingualism and critical thinking ability, (2) is there a statistically significant curvilinear relationship between bilingualism and critical thinking disposition, and (3) is there a statistically significant relationship between critical thinking disposition and critical thinking ability? A convenience sample of nursing students (N = 111) was administered a French language Cloze Test (C-Test), an English language C-Test, as well as the California Critical Thinking Skills Test, and the California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses. Findings failed to provide sufficient evidence to support the existence of a relationship between either bilingualism and critical thinking ability, or between critical thinking disposition and critical thinking ability. However, there was sufficient evidence to support the existence of a curvilinear relationship between bilingualism and critical thinking disposition. Implications for nursing education are presented. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.