Validation of the Arabic version of the Childhood Illness Attitudes Scales.

Background: Excessive health anxiety can lead to significant disorders such as hypochondriasis. In children, assessment of the severity of health anxiety has been performed using the Childhood Illness Attitudes Scales (CIAS); however, no validated Arabic version of this tool exists.

Aims: This study developed and validated an Arabic version of the CIAS questionnaire in Jordan in 2017 to provide a tool to measure the severity of health anxiety in the Arabic-speaking world.

Methods: The CIAS was translated from English to Arabic then back-translated by a different translator and the 2 versions were compared before cognitive interviews were conducted. The final version of the questionnaire was circulated to 597 children. Of these, 200 were asked to retake the questionnaire after 10-15 days to evaluate test-retest reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on the 4-factor model suggested by the original questionnaire version was performed. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were evaluated.

Results: The CFA showed good fit (goodness of fit index = 0.92) with the 4-factor model of fears, help seeking, treatment experience, and symptom effects. Test-retest reliability was high and the model had good discriminant validity and internal consistency.

Conclusions: The Arabic version of the CIAS provides a suitable tool to investigate the prevalence and severity of childhood anxiety in the Middle East.