Psychometric Properties of an Arabic Version of the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) scale among Lebanese Adults

Objectives: To validate the Arabic versions of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scale among a sample of Lebanese adults. Methods: A random sample of 789 community participants was enrolled between November 2017 and March 2018. The exploratory-to-confirmatory factor analyses strategy was followed. The Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) statistic, the Tucker Lewis Index (TLI), and the Comparative Fit Index (CFI) were used to evaluate the goodness-of-fit of the model as these are the most commonly used indices. Results: The AUDIT scale items converged on one factor following an exploratory factor analysis (variance explained=58.13%; McDonald’s ω=.88). The CFA indicated that fit of the one-factor model of the AUDIT was acceptable: χ2/df=138.36/35=3.95, RMSEA=.087 (90% CI.072,.103), SRMR=.047, CFI=.943, TLI =.926 (ω=.89). Higher AUDIT scores were significantly and positively associated with alexithymia, depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. Conclusion: The psychometric properties of the AUDIT scale are excellent and suggest that this scale can be used by clinicians to screen for problematic alcohol use among Lebanese adults.