Researchers created and validated a 6-question Arabic YouTube Addiction Scale for young adults aged 18-25, finding it reliably measures problematic YouTube use with strong correlations to depression, anxiety, and sleep problems. According to Gram Research analysis, the scale demonstrated excellent reliability (internal consistency of 0.80-0.81) and worked consistently across gender and age groups, making it a trusted tool for identifying YouTube addiction in Arabic-speaking communities.
Researchers created and tested a new 6-item scale to measure YouTube addiction specifically for Arabic-speaking young adults. The study involved 1,134 participants from four Middle Eastern countries who completed the Arabic YouTube Addiction Scale (YAS). According to Gram Research analysis, the tool proved reliable and valid, showing strong connections to other mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and sleep problems. This culturally adapted measurement tool can help doctors and researchers identify young people at risk of problematic YouTube use in Arabic-speaking communities where social media consumption is particularly high.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cross-sectional study of 1,134 Arabic-speaking young adults validated a 6-item YouTube Addiction Scale, demonstrating excellent internal consistency (0.80-0.81) and test-retest reliability (0.87).
The Arabic YouTube Addiction Scale showed strong correlation with social media addiction (r = 0.66) and moderate correlation with depression and anxiety symptoms (r = 0.40) in a 2026 validation study of 1,134 participants.
Research from 2026 confirmed that the Arabic YouTube Addiction Scale worked consistently across gender and age groups (18-25 years), with scalar invariance supported across all demographic categories.
A 2026 validation study found the Arabic YouTube Addiction Scale correlated with sleep problems (r = 0.26) and food addiction (r = 0.32), suggesting YouTube addiction may be part of broader behavioral addiction patterns.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether a 6-question test could accurately measure YouTube addiction in Arabic-speaking young adults
- Who participated: 1,134 young adults aged 18-25 from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Tunisia recruited through social media
- Key finding: The Arabic YouTube Addiction Scale works reliably and accurately, with strong connections to depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and other social media addiction
- What it means for you: Doctors and researchers now have a trusted tool to identify YouTube addiction in Arabic-speaking communities, though this is a measurement study—not a treatment study—so it doesn’t tell us how to reduce addiction
The Research Details
Researchers took a 6-question YouTube addiction test that was originally written in English and carefully translated it into Arabic using a special back-and-forth translation method. This ensures the questions mean the same thing in both languages. They then gave this Arabic version to 1,134 young adults from four Middle Eastern countries and analyzed their answers using advanced statistical methods.
The researchers tested whether the scale actually measured what it claimed to measure by comparing answers to other mental health questionnaires about sleep problems, depression, anxiety, food addiction, and social media addiction. They also tested whether the scale worked the same way for males and females, and whether it worked the same for different age groups within their sample.
Having a reliable measurement tool in a person’s native language is crucial for accurate research and clinical care. English-language tests don’t always work the same way when translated directly—cultural differences in how people think about addiction matter. This study ensures that Arabic-speaking researchers and doctors can confidently identify YouTube addiction in their communities.
The study shows strong statistical evidence of reliability: internal consistency scores of 0.80-0.81 (excellent), test-retest reliability of 0.87 (meaning people got similar scores when tested twice), and excellent model fit indices. The scale worked consistently across gender and age groups. However, this is a translation and validation study only—it doesn’t prove that YouTube addiction causes the mental health problems it correlates with.
What the Results Show
The Arabic YouTube Addiction Scale demonstrated excellent psychometric properties, meaning it reliably and accurately measures what it’s designed to measure. The scale showed a clear single-factor structure, indicating all six questions measure the same underlying concept of YouTube addiction.
The scale correlated strongly with other social media addiction measures (r = 0.66), showing it captures similar patterns of problematic use. It also showed moderate correlations with depression and anxiety symptoms (r = 0.40) and weaker but significant correlations with sleep problems (r = 0.26) and food addiction (r = 0.32).
Importantly, the scale worked consistently across different groups: males and females answered similarly, and young adults aged 18-21 responded the same way as those aged 22-25. This means the tool is fair and reliable regardless of gender or age within the emerging adulthood period.
The item response theory analysis confirmed that each of the six questions contributes meaningfully to measuring YouTube addiction, with no redundant or poorly-performing items. The scale demonstrated good person reliability (0.78), meaning it can distinguish between individuals with different levels of YouTube addiction. Measurement invariance across demographic groups suggests the scale measures the same construct regardless of who is taking it.
This study builds on the original English-language YouTube Addiction Scale by ensuring it works properly in Arabic. Previous research has shown YouTube addiction correlates with mental health problems in English-speaking populations; this study confirms those same patterns exist in Arabic-speaking young adults. The strong correlation with the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (r = 0.66) validates that YouTube addiction is part of a broader social media addiction phenomenon.
This study only measured YouTube addiction at one point in time—it didn’t follow people over months or years to see how addiction develops or changes. The sample was recruited through social media, which may have included more frequent YouTube users than the general population. The study focused only on emerging and young adults (18-25 years old), so results may not apply to teenagers or older adults. The researchers used convenience sampling rather than random selection, which could introduce bias.
The Bottom Line
Healthcare providers and researchers working with Arabic-speaking populations should consider using this validated scale to screen for problematic YouTube use. The tool is appropriate for identifying young adults at risk of YouTube addiction-related mental health problems. However, this scale measures addiction—it doesn’t treat it—so positive results should lead to further assessment and appropriate interventions.
Mental health professionals, researchers, and public health officials in Arabic-speaking countries should care about this tool. Young adults themselves may find it useful for self-assessment. Parents and educators concerned about excessive YouTube use in young people may also benefit from understanding this measurement approach. This research is less relevant for English-speaking populations, as English-language versions already exist.
This is a measurement tool, not a treatment, so there’s no timeline for seeing benefits from using the scale itself. However, identifying problematic YouTube use through this scale could lead to interventions that improve mental health over weeks to months.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you measure YouTube addiction in Arabic speakers?
Researchers developed a 6-question Arabic YouTube Addiction Scale specifically for young adults aged 18-25. The 2026 study of 1,134 participants confirmed it reliably measures problematic YouTube use with strong connections to depression, anxiety, and sleep problems.
Is YouTube addiction related to mental health problems?
The 2026 validation study found YouTube addiction correlated with depression and anxiety (r = 0.40), sleep problems (r = 0.26), and other social media addiction (r = 0.66). However, this study measured associations, not whether YouTube causes these problems.
Does the YouTube addiction scale work the same for men and women?
Yes. The 2026 study confirmed the Arabic YouTube Addiction Scale worked consistently across gender, meaning males and females answered similarly. The scale also worked the same for ages 18-21 and 22-25.
Can this scale help treat YouTube addiction?
This scale measures YouTube addiction but doesn’t treat it. It helps doctors and researchers identify young adults at risk, which can lead to appropriate interventions, but the scale itself is a diagnostic tool, not a treatment.
Who should use the YouTube addiction scale?
Mental health professionals, researchers, and clinicians working with Arabic-speaking young adults aged 18-25 should consider using this validated tool. Young adults concerned about their YouTube use can also use it for self-assessment.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Users could take the 6-item Arabic YouTube Addiction Scale weekly and track their score over time to monitor whether their YouTube use patterns are becoming more or less problematic
- After completing the scale, users could set specific YouTube time limits based on their score and use app reminders to track daily YouTube usage minutes, comparing weekly totals to identify trends
- Combine the addiction scale score with daily screen time tracking and mood/sleep quality logs to identify correlations between YouTube use patterns and mental health symptoms over 4-8 week periods
This study validates a measurement tool for YouTube addiction but does not establish causation between YouTube use and mental health problems. The scale is designed for emerging and young adults aged 18-25 and may not apply to other age groups. Results are based on a convenience sample from four Middle Eastern countries and may not represent all Arabic-speaking populations. Anyone concerned about problematic YouTube use or mental health should consult with a qualified healthcare provider for proper assessment and treatment. This research is for informational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.