Psychometric properties of an Arabic translation of the short form of the affective lability scale in a sample of Lebanese 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. After completing the forward-backward translation for cultural and linguistic adaptation, concurrent validity was assessed through correlations with related constructs, Confirmatory Factor Analysis was conducted to examine the factorial structure, and internal reliability as well as measurement invariance across sex were tested, the latter being through multigroup analyses. Results The fit of the scale’s original three-factor model was suggested through confirmatory factor analyses. Full measurement invariance at the configural, metric, and scalar levels was attained. The scale also yielded concurrent validity, with results indicating associations with increased levels of depression, anxiety and stress, and lower levels of self-esteem. The study’s findings further denoted good internal consistency of the Arabic ALS-18 with values of McDonald’s ω and Cronbach’s α greater than 0.70. Conclusion Results revealed that the Arabic ALS-18 is a reliable and valid self-report measure that could 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 provide a foundation for future clinical validation studies, globally benefiting Arabic-speaking individuals.