Convergent Validity and Internal Consistency of an Arabic Snaith Hamilton Pleasure Scale

Anhedonia, a reduced capacity for pleasure, is viewed as a trait-like vulnerability marker for schizophrenia and depressive disorders. To date there are scarce data from the Arab world on anhedonia as a symptom, and even less on the psychometric properties of instruments designed to assess it. This study examines the internal consistency of an Arabic version of the Snaith Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS), and its convergence with real-time hedonic responses to emotional stimuli. A correlational study design is used; undergraduate students ( N = 113) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) completed the SHAPS, and also undertook an expanded version of the picture rating task (PRT). The PRT required participants to rate a series of pleasant and unpleasant images in terms of emotional valence. Levels of anhedonia as assessed by SHAPs were similar to those observed in nonclinical populations in other countries. Internal consistency for the Arabic version of SHAPs was very good; α = .86. Furthermore, SHAPS scores were correlated with lower valence ratings for pleasant images ( r = .36), and uncorrelated with unpleasant images. The SHAPS appears to be a useful instrument for assessing anhedonia in the present UAE student population