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Objective This study aims to investigate the quality of life (QOL), parental stress, and perception of social support in parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) in Saudi Arabia. Background Studies have shown that parenting a child with NDD impacts the QOL, parental stress, and life satisfaction of parents. Those studies, however, assessed those factors separately as well as focusing on autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study will use a mixed methods approach to gain a deeper understanding of those three factors as they related to parenting a child with NDD. Method Data about parental stress, QOL, and other related sociodemographic variables were collected from parents of children with NDD (N= 63). Next, semi-structured interviews were conducted with four of those parents to gain a deeper understanding of the parents' QOL, parental stress, and perception of social support. Results An analysis of variance (ANOVA) test demonstrated that parents who had children with severe symptoms had poorer QOL and higher levels of parental stress compared to parents who had children who had moderate and mild symptoms. In addition, parents who had children with ASD had poorer QOL compared to all of the other disorders. There was no statistically significant difference in QOL and parental stress between mothers and fathers. The thematic analysis highlighted that the most significant challenges they face are financial, familial, and well-being worries. Conclusion In conclusion, this study shows that parents of children with NDD exhibited higher levels of parental stress and lower levels of QOL depending on the diagnosis and intensity of the child's symptoms. In addition, the interviews highlighted some key challenges that the parents felt affected their QOL and stress levels, as well as their views on family, friends, and community social support. Implications This study can help in developing or improving supportive programs and interventions for parents with children with NDD to enhance their QOL, reduce parental stress, and create a better social support system.

Introduction The present study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Arabic translation of the Mukbang Addiction Scale (MAS) among Arabic-speaking adults from the general population. Specifically, it aimed to assess the factorial structure through a confirmatory factor analysis, determine the composite reliability through Cronbach alpha and McDonald’s omega scores, assess gender invariance, and evaluate the convergent validity by examining its correlation to eating addiction and psychological distress. Methods A total of 370 individuals with a mean age of 21.94 ± 2.29 years participated in this study, which was conducted using an online platform. The participants were surveyed on demographic information, mukbang addiction, food addiction, and psychological distress. Translation was conducted using the forward and backward technique. Results The findings demonstrated excellent internal consistency of the Arabic MAS (McDonald’s omega coefficient = 0.93). Confirmatory factor analyses validated the one-factor structure of the scale, while establishing measurement invariance across sex at the configural, metric, and scalar levels. No sex differences were observed in the Mukbang addiction levels. Lastly, the MAS scores were significantly and positively correlated with food addiction and psychological distress, supporting their convergent validity. Conclusion The current research provides evidence supporting the reliability and validity of the Arabic version of the MAS as a self-report method for assessing addictive Mukbang watching. While further validations are needed to corroborate the present findings, this measure can be effectively utilized across different fields, including schools, mental health centers, and researchers aiming to understand this global phenomenon. Plain English Summary Mukbang refers to individuals or hosts consuming large quantities of food while interacting with their audiences through recorded video or a live stream. The Mukbang phenomenon has gained substantial popularity among young individuals over the past years, rising concerns about its potential impact on their eating habits and health, especially when overconsumed. Overconsumption of mukbang content, or Mukbang addiction, aligns with the core features of addiction, including compulsive engagement, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms, making it comparable to other addictive behaviors. Mukbang addiction can lead to detrimental effects on mental and physical health, including neglect of balanced nutrition, disordered eating habits, obesity, feelings of guilt, shame, poor self-esteem, distorted self-images, body dissatisfaction, heightened anxiety or depression, and social isolation. Given these significant impacts, valid and reliable tools are crucial to enable an accurate assessment of Mukbang addiction. This study proposes to translate, adapt and examine the psychometric properties of the Mukbang Addiction Scale (MAS) in a sample of Arabic-speaking individuals from the general population. Findings showed that the six MAS items loaded on a single factor with strong internal consistency and good convergent validity, preliminarily indicating its potential validity and reliability for assessing addictive mukbang-watching among Arabic-speaking individuals.

Background The current study examined the psychometric properties of an Arabic translation of the Adolescent Distress-Eustress Scale (ADES) in Saudi Arabia. It assessed the factorial structure through a confirmatory factor analysis, composite reliability through Cronbach alpha and McDonald’s omega scores, gender invariance, and convergent validity through its correlation to resilience. Methods A total of 505 high school students from 21 randomly selected schools in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (mean age of 16.66 ± 1.10 years, 52.7% females) participated in the study. The questionnaires were translated using the forward and backward technique. Results Findings revealed good internal consistency of the Arabic ADES (McDonald’s ω being 0.82 for distress and 0.79 for eustress). Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the two-factor structure of the scale and demonstrated measurement invariance across gender at the configural, metric, and scalar levels. Girls had higher Distress scores, while boys reported higher eustress scores, which was consistent with previous studies. Finally, the ADES distress and eustress scales were significantly correlated to resilience supporting convergent validity. Conclusion The present study supports the reliability and validity of the Arabic version of the ADES as a self-report method to assess Eustress and Distress in adolescents. Pending further validations to support the present findings, this measure can be utilized by schools, mental health providers, and researchers to support Arabic speaking adolescents globally.

Understanding of the mechanisms involved in the occurrence of psychotic experiences (PEs) in highly autistic individuals is crucial for identifying appropriate prevention and intervention strategies. This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of susceptibility to social pain and loneliness in the relationship between autistic traits (ATs) and PEs in adults from the general population of 12 Arab countries. This cross-sectional study is part of a large-scale multi-country research project. A total of 7646 young adults (age range 18–35 years, mean age of 22.55 ± 4.00 years and 75.5% females) from twelve Arab countries (i.e., Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, and Tunisia) were included. Mediation analyses showed that, after adjusting over confounding variables, both loneliness (indirect effect: Beta = 0.18; Boot SE = 0.02; Boot CI 0.14; 0.21) and social pain (indirect effect: Beta = 0.03; Boot SE = 0.01; Boot CI 0.001; 0.05) partially mediated the association between ATs and PEs. Higher ATs were significantly associated with more loneliness and susceptibility to social pain, and directly associated with more severe PEs. Finally, higher loneliness and susceptibility to social pain were significantly associated with greater PEs scores. Findings indicated that individuals with higher ATs tend to experience greater loneliness and feel more pain from rejection, which can in turn be associated with higher levels of PEs. Interventions targeting susceptibility to social pain and loneliness as a means of mitigating PEs among highly autistic adults should be considered.

No Arabic validated scale is available to date to measure AI literacy. The current study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of a first Arabic translation of the Artificial Intelligence Literacy Scale (AILS) among university students from four Arab countries (i.e. Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Palestine). Online cross-sectional data collection took place in July 2023 among university students (N = 1849, mean age of 21.37 ± 3.84 years, 74.3% females). The Arabic version replicated the original four-factor structure of the AILS. Internal consistency reliability coefficients were excellent (Cronbach α = .92). Moreover, scalar, metric and configural invariance was supported across sex and country. Finally, concurrent validity was established through significant negative correlations of the AILS scores with levels of fear of autonomous robots and artificial intelligence. Making an Arabic version of the AILS available can guide course designs and development at the higher education system, to include AI in both curricula and assessment settings.

Background Dissociation, involving disruptions in cognition, perception, and identity, is closely linked to trauma and various psychiatric disorders but remains underrecognized, especially in non‐Western contexts. Although tools like the Dissociative Symptoms Scale—Brief (DSS—B) have improved assessment, validated Arabic‐language versions are lacking. Given rising mental health concerns and limited resources in the Arab world, this study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Arabic‐translated DSS—B to support culturally appropriate diagnosis and research on dissociation. Methods In this cross‐sectional study, participants from KSA, Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, and Jordan were recruited via snowball sampling and completed an online survey. The DSS—B was translated into Arabic using a forward‐backward method and reviewed by experts for cultural and semantic accuracy. Participants also completed validated Arabic versions of the Jong‐Gierveld Loneliness Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire‐4, and the Brief Irritability Test. Results Among 1494 participants (mean age = 24.97; 74.5% female), Palestinians showed the highest dissociative symptoms. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed good model fit, excellent reliability (ω = 0.93; α = 0.92), and strong convergent validity average variance extracted (AVE = 0.70). Measurement invariance across genders and countries was supported, with no significant gender differences in scores. Dissociation was positively correlated with depression‐anxiety (r = 0.57), irritability (r = 0.51), and loneliness (r = 0.45), confirming concurrent validity, while discriminant validity was also established. Conclusion This study validates the Arabic DSS—B as a reliable, valid, and culturally adaptable tool for assessing dissociation in Arab populations, reinforcing its clinical and research utility. Future research should explore its generalizability in underrepresented groups, use longitudinal and clinician‐based assessments, and investigate neurobiological underpinnings to deepen understanding and application of dissociation measurement globally. This study validated the Arabic Dissociative Symptoms Scale—Brief (DSS—B) across five Arab countries, demonstrating excellent reliability and cultural relevance. The tool enables accurate assessment of dissociation in Arabic‐speaking populations for both clinical practice and research.

Objective This paper assesses the role of family cohesion in the relationship between polygamy and mental health and whether this varies as a function of the father's involvement. Background Studies show that polygamy has a detrimental effect on children's mental health, yet familial variables that may account for this relationship have rarely been explored. Family cohesion is crucial for the relationship between a range of familial risk factors and mental health. Method Data about family structure, family cohesion, mental health, father involvement, and other related sociodemographic variables were collected from students from randomly selected middle schools (students N = 758) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Results Polygamous marital structure predicted more psychosocial problems and higher internalizing symptoms, but not externalizing problems. Polygamy had an indirect association with psychosocial problems through family cohesion, and father involvement moderated the relationship between polygamy and family cohesion. Conclusion The findings suggest that living in polygamous families may impair the mental health of middle school–aged children, in part by diminishing family cohesion. Additionally, low father involvement may exaggerate threats to family cohesion resulting from polygamy and subsequent child mental health consequences. However, contrary to previous research, children's externalizing behavior did not vary by polygamous marital structure. Implications Family‐focused therapies, which include the fathers, may be of particular use to support this at‐risk group.

Objective: This paper assesses the role of family cohesion in the relationship between polygamy and mental health and whether this varies as a function of the father's involvement. Background: Studies show that polygamy has a detrimental effect on children's mental health, yet familial variables that may account for this relationship have rarely been explored. Family cohesion is crucial for the relationship between a range of familial risk factors and mental health. Method: Data about family structure, family cohesion, mental health, father involvement, and other related sociodemographic variables were collected from students from randomly selected middle schools (students N = 758) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Results: Polygamous marital structure predicted more psychosocial problems and higher internalizing symptoms, but not externalizing problems. Polygamy had an indirect association with psychosocial problems through family cohesion, and father involvement moderated the relationship between polygamy and family cohesion. Conclusion: The findings suggest that living in polygamous families may impair the mental health of middle school-aged children, in part by diminishing family cohesion. Additionally, low father involvement may exaggerate threats to family cohesion resulting from polygamy and subsequent child mental health consequences. However, contrary to previous research, children's externalizing behavior did not vary by polygamous marital structure. Implications: Family-focused therapies, which include the fathers, may be of particular use to support this at-risk group.

Polygamy is a family structure where a man has more than one legal wife. Despite being illegal and generally frowned upon in many Western countries, polygamy (in its polygyny form) is widely practiced in many societies around the world including Saudi Arabia. Studies on youth from polygamous families link polygamy with poorer psychological, social, and academic outcomes. While the possible detrimental outcomes of polygamy on children is well acknowledged in the literatures, the current body of research does not take a comprehensive look at the relationship including possible mediating or confounding variables. Further, none of the studies looked at factors that may weaken or strengthen this relationship. The primary aim of the thesis is to improve our understanding of the relationship between polygamy and adverse outcomes in students from polygamous families. The first two chapters assessed the available literature on polygamy in general in Chapter 1, and with regards to its potential links to adverse mental health and academic outcomes in children and adolescents in Chapter 2. Next, Chapter 3 discusses the methodology implemented for data collection, management, and analysis. In Chapter 4, family cohesion was assessed as a possible pathway in which polygamy is linked to mental health problems, with the father's involvement as a moderator of this relationship. Next, and in Chapter 5, the role of school engagement in the relationship between polygamy and academic achievement was investigated, and then the influence of parental involvement and internalising problems on this relationship was analysed. After successful studies in other countries, Chapter 6 assessed the Pediatric Symptom Checklist - Youth Edition (PSCY) as a possible widescale measure of general mental health for school children in the Arab world. Finally in Chapter 7, the results, implications, limitations and future directions were considered.