Diagnostic and Psychometric Properties of the Arabic Sensory Processing Measure—Second Edition, Adult Version

<b>Background:</b> Sensory processing difficulties can interfere with daily functioning and participation across adulthood. While standardized assessment tools exist, culturally validated instruments for Arabic-speaking adults remain limited. <b>Objectives</b>: This study aimed to validate the Arabic version of the Sensory Processing Measure-Second Edition (SPM-2) Adult Self-Report form in a Saudi population and evaluate its utility for the early detection of sensory processing challenges in at-risk individuals. <b>Methods</b>: A total of 399 Saudi adults (205 females and 194 males), aged 21 to 87 years (M = 44.1; SD = 16.2), completed the Arabic SPM-2 online. The scale consists of eight subscales, six of which form the Sensory Total score-Vision, Hearing, Touch, Taste and Smell, Body Awareness, and Balance and Motion-representing core sensory processing abilities (i.e., Sensory Total (ST)). The remaining two-Planning and Ideas and Social Participation-capture higher-order integrative functions and do not contribute to the ST. <b>Results</b>: The overall scale demonstrated strong internal consistency (α = 0.89), with subscale alphas ranging from 0.43 (Hearing) to 0.70 (Body Awareness). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) (χ² [3052] = 4147.4; <i>p</i> < 0.001) showed good absolute fit (RMSEA = 0.030) and moderate incremental fit (CFI = 0.74; TLI = 0.73), values that are typical for large-df models. Descriptive and cluster analyses identified distinct participant subgroups with elevated frequency ratings (scores of 2 or 3) suggestive of sensory risk. Significant age-related differences were observed across multiple sensory domains, while no significant sex-related effects were found. <b>Conclusions</b>: Although Social Participation and Hearing showed lower reliability, the Arabic SPM-2 exhibits sound internal structure and therefore shows promise for future clinical application once criterion validity is established. The findings support its application in culturally responsive screening, early risk identification, and intervention planning in Arabic-speaking contexts.