Validation of the Arabic versions of the long (15 items) and short (4 items) forms of the distress tolerance scale (DTS)

Abstract Background Distress tolerance is an important construct in comprehending a variety of psychopathology, including depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. The Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS) and its Short Form (DTS-SF) are widely used tools for measuring distress tolerance. Still, their applicability in non-Western, Arabic-speaking populations has not been validated. Our study’s goal was to explore the psychometric characteristics of an Arabic translation of the DTS and DTS-SF among Arabic-speaking general population adults. Methods A sample of 507 participants was recruited from diverse community settings. Participants completed the Arabic translations of the DTS and DTS-SF, alongside other relevant psychological measures, through an online survey. We used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to examine the factor structure of both scales, and McDonald’s omega/Cronbach’s alpha to evaluate their reliability. Sex invariance was tested, and correlations with other psychological constructs, such as anxiety and child abuse, were examined to establish concurrent validity . Results After removing one item with low factor loading, the four-factor model of the DTS was supported by CFA. Both the DTS and DTS-SF demonstrated strong internal consistency (DTS: ω = .91, α = .91; DTS-SF: ω = .77, α = .77) and good fit indices, confirming their reliability. Invariance across sex was established at the metric, scalar, and configural levels for both long and short versions. The DTS and DTS-SF scores showed significant correlations with child abuse and anxiety scores, providing support to concurrent validity of the scales. Finally, no significant correlation was found with pain, suggesting that physical pain tolerance and emotional distress are distinct constructs. Conclusion Our results indicate that the DTS and DTS-SF in their Arabic validated versions are valid and reliable measures for assessing distress tolerance in Arabic-speakers. These scales are valuable for future clinical and research applications, as they would hopefully allow to detect individuals at risk for psychological distress and guide the design and implementation of culturally-appropriate interventions. Further studies need to explore the applicability of these tools in other cultural backgrounds.