Psychometric properties of the Arabic Anti-Mattering Scale in a non-clinical sample of Arabic-speaking adolescents.

Abstract

Background: The urge to be valued and to value others is known as mattering, and it is essential to children, adolescents, and college students' development of psychological health and wellbeing. Even with its significance, a lot of teenagers believe they are insignificant to their community. This study's objective was to examine, among a sample of adolescents from Lebanon, the psychometric properties of the Anti-Mattering Scale translated into Arabic. Methods: Data for this cross-sectional study was gathered using a link in a Google Form. during November 2023. Using a snowball sampling technique, participants ranged in age from 13 to 18 and were Lebanese citizens. Results: Seven hundred ninety-three adolescents took part in this study; the mean age was 16.08 ± 1.74 years. and 62.4% females. According to CFA, the AMS scale's one-factor model fit was satisfactory: RMSEA = .097 (90% CI .072, .125), SRMR = .027, CFI = .979, TLI = .957. For the entire sample, the composite reliability of scores was deemed sufficient (ω =.87 / α =.87). This model had a borderline convergent validity, as AVE = .57. In terms of anti-mattering scores, there was no discernible difference between the genders (10.73 ± 3.52 vs 11.14 ± 3.64; t(791) = -1.53; p = .126). Furthermore, there was a notable correlation between higher psychological distress and higher anti-mattering scores (r = .53; p < .001) and lower wellbeing (r = -.37; p < .001). Conclusion: The Anti-Mattering Scale translated into Arabic appears to be a valid self-assessment measure to capture the presence of anti-mattering feeling among adolescents. It is anticipated that the Arabic Anti-Mattering Scale will be advantageous for healthcare professionals and researchers working with Arabic-speaking people around the world.