Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometrics Properties of the Arabic Version of the Positive Thinking Skills Scale

Abstract

Background: Identifying depressive cognitions in first-generation Middle Eastern immigrants (FGMEI) can be an important step to prevent the development of clinical depression.

Purpose: This study focused on the cross-cultural equivalence and psychometric testing of the Arabic version of the Positive Thinking Skills Scale (A-PTSS) among 100 FGMEI.

Methods: Content/face validity of the measure was conducted. Internal consistency, homogeneity, dimensionality and construct validity were assessed.

Results: Cronbach’s alpha for (A-PTSS) was .89. Factor extraction generated only one factor, which is consistent with the English version. The A-PTSS total score had a strong positive correlation with the positive cognition scores (r = .42, p < .001), the total resourcefulness scores (r = .39, p < .001), and with the total generalized anxiety scores (r = −.42, p < .001), thereby suggesting construct validity.

Conclusion: This scale has the potential to become a useful screening tool for depressive cognitions among FGMEI.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The study was funded by the 2017 International Research Award by Marquette University