Psychometric Properties of an Arabic Translation of the short form of the Affective Lability Scale (ALS-18) in a non-clinical sample of Arabic-speaking adults.

Abstract

Background: The present study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of an Arabic version of the Affective Lability Scale in its short form (ALS-18) within an Arabic-speaking sample. Particularly, the concurrent validity, sex invariance and factorial structure were examined. Methods: The total sample of this cross-sectional study consisted of 748 adults, with a mean age of 34.48 ± 13.25 years, 66.5% females. The forward-backward translation method was applied. Results: The study’s findings denoted good internal consistency of the Arabic ALS-18 with values of McDonald’s ω and Cronbach’s α greater than .70. The fit of the scale’s original three-factor model was supported through confirmatory factor analyses. Sex invariance at the configural, metric, and scalar levels was established. The scale also yielded evidence of concurrent validity, being notably associated with increased measures of depression, anxiety and stress, and lower levels of self-esteem. Conclusion: Results revealed that the Arabic ALS-18 is a reliable and valid self-report measure that can be utilized among an Arabic-speaking population to assess affective lability. The availability of the Arabic version of the ALS-18 is deemed to increase its use for research and clinical purposes, globally benefiting Arabic-speaking individuals.