Measurement of motivation states for physical activity and rest among adolescents: Validation of the 9-item and the single-item versions of the CRAVE Scale in the Arabic language

Background Physical activity and rest patterns among adolescents significantly impact their health and development. However, there is a lack of validated tools to measure motivation states for physical activity and rest in Arabic-speaking populations. This study aimed to validate both the 9-item and single-item versions of the Cravings for Rest and Volitional Energy Expenditure (CRAVE) scale in Arabic among adolescents and evaluate its psychometric properties. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among Lebanese adolescents using an online survey. The CRAVE scale was translated to Arabic following international guidelines. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to assess the scale's structure. Internal consistency was evaluated using McDonald's ω and Cronbach's α. Gender invariance was tested, and concurrent validity was examined through correlations with measures of depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia. Results A total of 600 Lebanese adolescents (mean age 15.94 ± 1.72 years, 59.2% females) completed the survey. The two-factor model showed good fit indices (RMSEA = .086, SRMR = .061, CFI = .975, TLI = .966) and excellent internal consistency for both move (ω = .96) and rest (ω = .92) subscales. Measurement invariance was established across genders, with no significant differences in move and rest scores between males and females. Higher Move desires were associated with lower levels of depression (r = − .17), anxiety (r = − .18), stress (r = − .08), and insomnia (r = − .14), while higher Rest desires showed positive correlations with these variables. Both single-item versions demonstrated strong psychometric properties in the Arabic adaptation, though optimal indicators varied culturally. Conclusion The Arabic version of the CRAVE scale, in both 9-item and single-item formats, demonstrates strong reliability and validity for measuring motivation states for physical activity and rest among Arabic-speaking adolescents. This validation provides a valuable tool for research and clinical applications in Arabic-speaking populations, enabling better assessment and understanding of physical activity motivation patterns in this demographic.