Validation of the Psychometric Properties of the NEO-FFI-3 in an Arabic Context

The present study aims to assess the validity and reliability of the psychometric properties of the Arabic adaptation of the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI-3) to be used in research of personality inventory in the Arabic context.

It is a validation study of an Arabic version (NEO-AR) of the NEO-FFI-3. An online version was used to collect 1306 samples using convenient sampling in two phases. The collected data tested the validity of the inventory by using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), while reliability was verified using Cronbach's alpha after an Arabic version was conjured using forward translation, testing, and back-translation.

The principal axis factoring (PAF) and the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) are the analyses used to validate the factorial structure of the NEO-FFI-3 (NEO-AR). The reproduction of the original structure of NEO-FFI was proven using PAF, and CFA revealed a satisfactory fit of single-factor models for the five dimensions. The reliability analysis showed high values of internal consistency, which are congruent with previous international adaptations of the NEO-FFI-3.

The findings of the current study suggest that the Arabic version of the NEO-FFI-3 (NEO-AR) is a reliable and robust instrument to measure the five dimensions of personality of the Five-Factor Model facets as the original North America NEO-FFI-3. The results imply that the approach measuring psychological characteristics is successful across different cultures as in previous studies and the Arab World in this study.