Examination of the Psychometric Properties of the Observable Social Cognition Rating Scale (OSCARS) in Arabic-speaking patients with schizophrenia

Abstract

Background No Arabic-language version of the Observable Social Cognition Rating Scale (OSCARS) has been made available that allows to properly and specifically assess the social cognition (SC) construct in Arabic-speaking populations, and inform the development and evaluation of strategies aimed at improving clinical and functional outcomes. Besides, only scant research has been done on SC in schizophrenia in the Arab contexts. This study aimed to examine the preliminary psychometric characteristics of the Arabic translated version of the OSCARS, including factor structure, reliability, concurrent validity and measurement invariance across sex. Method This cross-sectional study has been conducted during February and March 2024, and included 113 chronic, remitted and clinically stable patients with schizophrenia (mean age of 57.52 ± 10.35 years, 63.5% males). Results The originally proposed two-factor model (Social Cognitive Bias and Social Cognitive Ability) showed acceptable model fit in our sample of Arabic-speaking patients with schizophrenia, after removal of two items (items 2 and 3) which yielded low factor loadings. The Arabic version of the OSCARS total and factor scores showed good internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha for of .85-.94. Measurement invariance was established across sex groups at the configural, metric, and scalar levels. No significant differences emerged between male and female patients for latent mean scores of the OSCARS. Finally, concurrent validity was supported by appropriate patterns of correlations with functioning, recovery and emotional intelligence measures. In particular, SC scores correlated negatively and moderately with levels of functioning and recovery of patients, as well as negatively and strongly with self-reported emotional intelligence. Conclusion The Arabic OSCARS stands out as a brief, valid, reliable and comprehensive assessment tool to evaluate SC in Arabic-speaking patients with schizophrenia based on the perspectives of interviewers. Offering the Arabic validated version of the OSCARS to clinicians and researchers who work in Arab settings may close the existing gap in the assessment of SC in schizophrenia. Due to its easy and fast application, the Arabic OSCARS is believed to be highly valuable in clinical and research practices.