Validation of the Arabic versions of the long (15 items) and short (4 items) forms of the Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS)

Background: Distress tolerance, defined as the capacity to endure and manage negative emotional states, is an important construct in comprehending various psychological conditions, including anxiety, depression, 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 aims to examine the psychometric properties 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. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to evaluate the factor structure of both scales, and their reliability was assessed using McDonald’s omega and Cronbach’s alpha. Sex invariance was tested, and correlations with other psychological constructs, such as anxiety and child abuse, were examined to establish concurrent validity . Results: CFA supported the four-factor structure of the DTS, especially after removing one item with low factor loading. 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. Sex Invariance was established at the configural, metric, and scalar levels for both long and short versions. The DTS and DTS-SF scores showed significant correlations with anxiety and child abuse, supporting the scales' concurrent validity, while no significant correlation was found with pain, suggesting a differentiation between emotional distress and physical pain tolerance. Conclusion: The study indicates that the Arabic versions of the DTS and DTS-SF are reliable and valid tools for assessing distress tolerance in Arabic-speaking populations. These scales are valuable for both clinical and research applications, enabling the identification of individuals at risk for psychological distress and guiding the development of culturally relevant interventions. Future research should explore the use of these psychometric instrument in other cultural contexts.