A Research Note on the Psychometric Analysis of the 7-Item Thought Control Ability Questionnaire—Short Version (TCAQ-SV-7) in Six Arab Countries

Background Thought control ability refers to the ability to effectively remove unwanted thoughts from one's consciousness. This study aimed to translate and validate the 7-item Thought Control Ability Questionnaire-Short Version (TCAQ-SV-7) into Arabic in several Arabic-speaking countries. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted during November-December 2023 among 2131 participants. Results Confirmatory Factor Analysis using WLSMV estimation supported the one-factor structure of the Arabic TCAQ-SV-7, with acceptable model fit indices. Internal reliability was very good (ω = .88; α = .87). Configural, metric, and scalar invariance across genders and nations were supported, with partial support for scalar invariance. There was no significant difference between male and female TCAQ-SV-7 results. Higher psychological distress (r = −.20; p < .001) and difficulties in emotion regulation scores (r = −.16; p < .001) were significantly linked with lower TCAQ-SV-7 scores. Conclusion The validation of the Arabic version of the TCAQ-SV-7 enriches the toolkit available for practitioners in Arabic speaking regions and lays the groundwork for studies of thought control abilities within this cultural context.