Psychometric Properties of the Italian Version of the Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (SABAS)

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to test the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (SABAS; Csibi et al., International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 16, 393-403, 2018), a short and easy to use six-item tool for screening the risk of addiction to smartphone-based applications. A further goal was to explore the impact on smartphone addiction of several variables related to smartphone use habits, perceived quality of life, and sociability measures. The data were collected online from 205 Italian-speaking volunteers (128 males and 77 females aged 18 to 99 years). The psychometric instruments included in the study were the SABAS and the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q). Psychometric testing showed that the six items included in the SABAS comprised a unidimensional factor with good reliability (Cronbach's alpha = .890). Therefore, the SABAS appears to be a reliable instrument to assess the risk of addiction to smartphone apps. Moreover, longer daily time spent using the smartphone was found to be positively correlated with the total SABAS and NMP-Q scores, while perceived quality of life and self-reported sociability were found to be negatively correlated with such scores.

Psychometric Properties of Three Simplified Chinese Online-Related Addictive Behavior Instruments Among Mainland Chinese Primary School Students

“…This indicates that the SABAS is reliable in assessing the students’ challenges with smartphone use. These findings (unidimensional structure and reliability) are similar to previous studies ( 15 , 35 , 37 – 39 , 41 ). Also, the floor effect (25.7%) was higher than the suggested cut-off and that in previous studies ( 15 , 37 , 57 ).…”

“…A CFA of SABAS demonstrated a unidimensional structure with satisfactory psychometric properties which include internal consistency (Cronbach’s α of 0.75), criterion and construct validity among Hong Kong university students ( 15 ). Furthermore, other studies reported acceptable psychometric properties in different languages which includes Persian ( 37 ), English ( 38 ), Turkish ( 39 , 40 ), Italian ( 41 ), Serbian ( 42 ), and Hungarian ( 35 ).…”

Psychological distress and internet-related behaviors between schoolchildren with and without overweight during the COVID-19 outbreak

“…The psychometric properties of the SABAS and the Chinese SABAS have been found to be satisfactory. [20][21][22][23][24] The present study also showed that the Chinese SABAS had good internal consistency (α = 0.88).…”

Adaptation and Psychometric Analysis of the Test of Mobile Phone Dependence—Brief Version in Italian Adolescents

“…Although different instruments for PMPU have been used [ 16 ] and adapted [ 61 , 62 , 63 ] in Italian populations of adolescents and adults, the present study on the adaptation of the TMD-brief to the Italian context has the advantage of primarily focusing attention on the adolescent population. De Pasquale et al [ 61 ] reported the Italian validation of a 10-item questionnaire among 633 adolescents and young adults showing a one-factor structure.…”

“…The analyses showed a seven-factor structure for the questionnaire, namely: Loss of control of smartphone use, Nomophobia, Smartphone-mediated communication, Emotion regulation through smartphone usage, Smartphone support to romantic relationships, Smartphone tasks support and Awareness of smartphone negative impact. Soraci et al [ 63 ] tested the psychometric properties of a previous 6-item questionnaire among 205 Italian adults showing a unidimensional factor. By contrast, we specifically focused on the problematic use of smartphones among Italian adolescents.…”