Peer Dependency Anxiety in Adolescence: Development and Initial Psychometric Evaluation of an Arabic-Language Measure

During adolescence, peer relationships play a central role in identity development and emotional adjustment. Excessive worry and distress about the potential or actual loss of peer support referred to as peer dependency anxiety may increase vulnerability to anxiety and depression. Despite its significance, no validated measure exists for Arabic-speaking adolescents. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the Peer Dependency Anxiety Scale (PDAS) among Jordanian adolescents.

A mixed-methods design was employed in Jordan in 2025. In the qualitative phase, items were generated through a systematic literature review and semi-structured interviews with 20 adolescents experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression. In the quantitative phase, the finalized scale was administered to 352 adolescents with elevated anxiety and/or depressive symptoms identified through RCADS-25 symptom-based screening. The total sample was randomly split into two independent subsamples of 176 participants for exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and 176 participants for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), respectively. Psychometric evaluation included exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), exploratory graph analysis (EGA), convergent validity, and reliability (Cronbach's α, McDonald's ω, intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]).

EFA indicated a four-factor structure consisting of Separation Anxiety from Peers, Peer Rejection Sensitivity, Emotional Dependence on Peer Support, and Excessive Concern about Peer Approval. CFA supported both the first- and second-order four-factor models with adequate fit. Reliability indices were good to excellent. Convergent validity was supported, and EGA with bootstrapping supported the stability of the four-factor structure.

The PDAS showed promising initial psychometric properties for research and screening-oriented assessment among adolescents who screened positive for elevated internalizing symptoms. Its factor structure, reliability, and score interpretation should be re-evaluated in representative community samples before the scale is used for broader adolescent populations or for normative interpretation, consistent with validity standards that link score interpretation to intended population and use.