Validation of the Arabic version of the Embodied Sense of Self Scale (ESSS) in general population adults

Abstract

Background Although the concept of the embodied sense of self (ESS) has attracted considerable interest from researchers around the world over the past years, research in this field is yet to be initiated in Arab countries. To address this gap, and owing to the important role the ESS construct plays in psychopathology, this study proposes to adapt and validate the Embodied Sense of Self Scale (ESSS) to the Arabic context and language by examining its factor structure, reliability, validity, and measurement invariance across sex. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed between March and May 2024 using an online questionnaire and the snowball sampling technique. A total of 502 participants (mean age of 21.74 years, 64.9% females) were included. The ESSS was translated into Arabic using the forward-backward translation method. Results Our study replicated the originally proposed three-factor model (i.e., Ownership, Narrative, and Agency) of the ESSS with an acceptable fit: χ²/df = 683.95/272 = 2.52, RMSEA = .055 (90% CI .050, .060), SRMR = .054, CFI = .859, TLI = .845. The reliability analysis was good for the total score (α = .88) and for the three factors (α = .74 − .80). In addition, measurement invariance across sex was established in our sample at the configural, metric, and scalar levels. Findings also showed that empathy positively and weakly correlated with ESSS scores, thus attesting to divergent validity of the Arabic version of the scale. Significant correlations were found between higher ESSS scores and more severe depression, anxiety and stress, whereas no significant correlation was observed between ESSS and self-esteem. Conclusion Findings of the present study indicated that the psychometric properties of our Arabic version of the ESSS were good, suggesting that the scale is valid, reliable and ready for use in Arabic-speaking adults and Arab contexts. The Arabic ESSS can be useful for clinicians and researchers in clarifying the complex role of the ESS in the psychopathology of different mental conditions.