Psychometric Properties of the Serbian Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (SABAS) and Validation of the English Version Among Non-native English Speakers

Abstract

The present study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Serbian Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (SABAS) and the original English version of the same scale administered to a Serbian-speaking sample. In Study 1, 599 participants completed Serbian SABAS, with 189 having both test and retest data. Results suggested good internal consistency (α = .81) and test–retest reliability (ICC = .795, p < .001, 95% CI [.731, .844], rtest-retest = .803) of the scale. Convergent validity of the SABAS was evaluated through correlations with the Smartphone Addiction Scale–Short Version (SAS-SV), as well as with anxiety, depression, worry, duration, and purpose of smartphone use. Divergent validity of the SABAS was evaluated through comparing the correlations with entertainment and productive smartphone use. The modified CFA model showed an acceptable fit (χ2(8) = 25.53, p = .001, CFI = .961, TLI = .926, RMSEA = .096, SRMR = .042), confirming the unidimensionality of the SABAS. In the second study, the English SABAS, completed by 335 non-native speakers from Serbia, also showed a good fit of the single-factor model (χ2(9) = 12.56, p = .184, CFI = .990, TLI = .984, RMSEA = .036, SRMR = 0.026), and good psychometric features. Based on the study’s findings, the Serbian version of SABAS is a reliable and valid measure for screening the risk of smartphone addiction. Moreover, the English version can be used among non-native Serbian English speakers.

Are Cyberchondria and Intolerance of Uncertainty Related to Smartphone Addiction?

“…This study used data gathered in another study that dealt with the Serbian adaptation of the Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (Csibi et al, 2018 ; Vujić et al, 2023 ), where a convenience sample was collected online by sharing the link to the questionnaire on various social networks and messaging applications. Participants needed to be over 18 years old, smartphone users, and fluent in Serbian.…”

“…Data were collected online, using the Qualtrics platform, for the study on adapting the Serbian version of SABAS, at the beginning of 2022 (see Vujić et al, 2023 ). The original study from which these data came from obtained ethical approval from the Research Ethics Board of the first author’s university (2020/306).…”