Translation, cultural adaptation, and psychometric validation of the Arabic version of the Digital Life Balance Scale in an Arabic-speaking university student sample
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction The increasing integration of digital technologies into daily life has underscored the need for valid instruments to assess individuals’ ability to maintain a balanced engagement between online and offline activities within Arabic-speaking university student samples. This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Arabic version of the Digital Life Balance (DLB) Scale among Arab university students. Methods A total of 769 students participated (Saudi Arabia = 261; Yemen = 311; Egypt = 197). The scale was translated into Arabic, and its linguistic and cultural equivalence was established through expert evaluation using the Delphi technique. Convergent validity was examined using three subscales of the Arabic Digital Stress Scale (DSS-A)—Fear of Missing Out, Connection Overload, and Online Vigilance. Results Confirmatory factor analysis supported the one-factor structure of the DLB Scale in the pooled Arabic-speaking sample, indicating clear construct validity. The DLB Scale demonstrated strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = .87; McDonald’s ω = .80; Composite Reliability = .89). Small but significant negative correlations were found between DLB scores and Fear of Missing Out ( r = −.10, p = .006) and Connection Overload ( r = −.15, p < .001), whereas the association with Online Vigilance was negative but not statistically significant ( r = −.07, p = .060). Discussion Taken together, these findings provide evidence for the reliability and factor structure of the Arabic version of the DLB Scale, with partial support for convergent validity, within the studied Arabic-speaking university student sample.
Source: Frontiers in Psychology
Authors: Aamer Aldbyani, Afnan Alhimaidi
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W7128728387