The Validity and Reliability of Arabic Version of the Psychological Defeat Scale

Abstract

The psychological defeat represents a complex and debilitating emotional and mental state that often emerges as a response to prolonged adversity or traumatic experiences. It leads individuals to grapple with profound feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. This present study is primarily focused on the development and validation of a psychometric instrument designed to assess psychological defeat among university students. Employing a descriptive research approach, the scale was administered to a sample comprising 412 students enrolled at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University. Data analysis encompassed several statistical techniques, including Exploratory Factor Analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, Composite Reliability (CR), and Pearson's correlation coefficient. The outcomes of the statistical analysis within this research underscore the scale's robust validity for gauging psychological defeat within the research sample. Factor analysis revealed the existence of four distinct dimensions within psychological defeat: psychological debility, self-contempt, spiritual emptiness, and self-deficit. Consequently, the Psychological Defeat Scale exhibits a noteworthy level of internal consistency, construct validity, and test-retest reliability, thereby affirming its utility and credibility for research applications.