Adaptation of the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) of Speilberger to Arabic
MENA Dubai 2003 Abstract
Author Brigitte Khoury
Copy The concept of anxiety has always been sensitive to cultural issues with its expression and experience differing in various cultures. The Arab culture is no exception to that. This led to the development of several Arabic adaptations of the STAI from Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait and Lebanon. These previous adaptations of the STAI however did not assess for linguistic and cultural influences on the experience and expression of anxiety. We are currently in the process of developing an Arabic adaptation of the STAI while taking into account the expression and experience of anxiety as influenced by the Arab culture. One of the ways to do so has been to confer with experts in the field from different Arab countries and have them rate items from the STAI as either pertaining to the Arab experience of anxiety or not. This round table discussion will allow us to discuss this project with other Arab colleagues, as well as get their feedback and comments in regards to the linguistic expression of anxiety as well as the cultural expression.