Psychometric validation and cross-cultural invariance of the Arabic Neuroception of Psychological Safety Scale (NPSS) among women in higher education

Psychological safety supports engagement, trust, and persistence in higher education, yet validated Arabic instruments to assess it among women in North Africa and the Middle East are limited. The Neuroception of Psychological Safety Scale (NPSS), grounded in Polyvagal Theory, which proposes that the autonomic nervous system continuously evaluates cues of safety and threat through a process known as neuroception, has not been extensively evaluated in Arab higher-education contexts. This gap is particularly relevant given that Arab women in universities may navigate sociocultural expectations, gender norms, and institutional dynamics that shape perceptions of safety. The present study assessed the psychometric properties of the Arabic-adapted NPSS among women in Algerian and Egyptian universities, and examined its measurement invariance across countries. A multi-institution cross-sectional survey was conducted with 1,302 women enrolled in higher education. Participants completed the Arabic-translated NPSS. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using WLSMV (Weighted Least Squares Mean and Variance adjusted) estimation tested the theorized three-factor structure (Social Engagement, Compassion, Body Sensations). Internal consistency (Cronbach’s α, McDonald’s ω), convergent validity (average variance extracted [AVE]), discriminant validity (HTMT [heterotrait-monotrait] ratios), and measurement invariance (configural, metric, scalar, and strict invariance using multigroup CFA) were also evaluated. The three-factor model showed excellent fit (CFI≈0.98, TLI≈0.97, RMSEA≈0.044, and SRMR≈0.063). Standardized loadings were weak to moderate (0.39–0.79), and factor correlations were moderate (0.44–0.69). Internal consistency was high across subscales (α/ω: 0.82–0.90). Convergent validity was acceptable (AVE 0.40–0.53), and HTMT values (0.64–0.66) supported discriminant validity. Multigroup CFA indicated full configural, metric, scalar, and strict invariance across Algerian and Egyptian samples. The findings demonstrate that the Arabic NPSS has a stable factor structure, strong reliability, and cross-country invariance among women in higher education in Algeria and Egypt. The validated scale enables meaningful comparisons and supports institutional monitoring and targeted interventions to enhance psychological safety.