Psychometric Properties of an Arabic Translation of the Short Entrapment Scale in a Non- Clinical Sample of Young Adults

Abstract

Background: Entrapment is defined as the feeling of wanting to leave an unbearable situation but believing that there are no options or ways to do so (i.e. inability to escape an unbearable situation). In clinical practice, it is crucial to regularly incorporate entrapment beliefs into the risk assessments and therapeutic interventions as entrapment beliefs are a significant risk factor for suicidal ideations. Therefore, in the current study, we aim to evaluate the psychometric properties of a translated Arabic version of the Entrapment Scale Short Form (E-SF). Methods: 389 Lebanese citizens residing in the country at the time were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The mean age of participants were 23.03 years (SD = 2.93), 69.4% being women. To examine the factor structure of the entrapment scale, we used an exploratory-to-confirmatory factor analysis (EFA-to-CFA) strategy. Results: EFA and CFA results indicated that fit of the unidimensional model of Arabic Entrapment Scale (A-ES) was generally acceptable. Composite reliability of scores was adequate in the total sample (ω = .87). All indices suggested that configural, metric, and scalar invariance was supported across gender. Entrapment was positively and significantly correlated with suicidal ideation, alcohol use disorder, psychological distress and orthorexia nervosa, suggesting convergent and divergent validity. Conclusion: The A-ES was found to be a valid and reliable tool to assess the degree of entrapment in Lebanese young adults. The A-ES will assist healthcare professionals in the region in the prevention of suicide as the tool is tailored to the specific sociocultural context, which would enhance entrapment detection.