Validation of the Arabic Version of the Brief Emotional Intelligence Scale (BEIS-10)

Abstract

Abstract Background Emotional Intelligence (EI) has been a widespread topic of scientific research and discussion among individuals and institutions over the last years, giving room for debate concerning its measurement and applications. One of the shortest, simplest, most economical and increasingly used self-report measures is the Brief Emotional Intelligence Scale (BIES-10), whose validity and reliability have been demonstrated in a sample of individuals from various samples and contexts. The present study contributed to the literature by examining the psychometric properties of an Arabic translation of the BEIS-10 in a native Arabic-speaking population from Lebanon. Method This cross-sectional study was carried out between December 2020 and January 2021; 449 non-clinical adults were included (mean age = 24.34 years; 70.6% females). The forward-backward translation approach was adopted to develop an Arabic version of the BEIS-10. Results CFA provided evidence for a unidimensional solution of the BEIS-10 in its Arabic translation, thus allowing a total score to be obtained that reflects the overall EI construct. Excellent internal consistency was evidenced by a McDonald’s ω of .94 and a Cronbach α of .94. The Arabic BEIS-10 showed significant invariance across gender at the scalar, metric, and configural levels. Furthermore, greater scores on EI have been shown to significantly correlate with higher positive and negative affect, thus attesting to the convergent validity of the Arabic BEIS-10. Conclusion Findings suggest that the Arabic BIES-10 is a valid and reliable self-administered measuring tool for the assessment of EI in Arab settings. Considering its simple and brief administration, this version of the scale might be of better convenience in Arab settings beset by shortage of resources and financial turmoil.