Psychometric Properties of the Arabic Translation of the Psy-Flex Scale in Adolescents

Background Psychologic flexibility, integral to mental wellbeing, has gained popularity for its role in fostering adaptive coping mechanisms. However, research on this subject in the Middle Eastern population, particularly among adolescents, is limited. This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of an Arabic translation of the Psy-Flex Scale in a sample of Lebanese adolescents. Methods Using a cross-sectional design, 793 adolescents form all districts/governorates participated in the study conducted in November 2023 using a snowball sampling technique. The Psy-Flex Scale and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale were used in this study. Results Confirmatory Factor Analysis results indicated that the fit of the one-factor model of the Psy-Flex Scale was modest: RMSEA = .109 (90% CI .090, .130), SRMR = .039, CFI = .948, TLI = .914. The modification index between items 3 and 6 was high; after adding a correlation between those residuals, the fit indices improved: RMSEA = .089 (90% CI .069, .112), SRMR = .033, CFI = .969, TLI = .942. The composite reliability of scores was adequate in the total sample (ω = .84 / α = .84). We were able to show the invariance across sex at the configural, metric, and scalar levels. No significant difference was seen between males and females in terms of psychological flexibility scores (17.91 ± 4.90 vs 17.40 ± 4.34; t (791) = 1.50; p  = .134). Concurrent validity was shown since higher psychological flexibility was significantly associated with lower depression (r = − .08; p = .024) and lower anxiety (r = − .10; p = .004), but not stress (r = .06; p = .090). Conclusion The validation of the Arabic Psy-Flex Scale represents a significant contribution to Arab mental health research, providing a culturally sensitive tool to assess psychological flexibility in adolescents and explore its associations with psychological distress.