Validation of the Greek version of the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale in Undergraduate Students

Abstract

Social Networking Sites (SNSs) number at least 3.81 billion users worldwide, while in Greece, 74.7% of internet users resort to SNSs. However, there is no instrument adapted to the Greek language that assesses addiction to SNSs. The Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale is a short 6-item questionnaire that assesses social media addiction. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Greek version of the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale. The sample consisted of 325 University students (mean age 21.6 years, SD=5.26). Confirmatory factor analysis was performed that supported the one-factor model. The reliability of the tool was tested with various indicators and was found to be satisfactory. The regression analysis identified gender, time of SNSs use, number of SNSs held by an individual and stress as statistically significant predictors of SNSs addiction. Positive correlations were found between SNSs addiction and stress, depression, anxiety and loneliness, while negative correlations were observed between SNSs addiction, self-esteem and age. Stress fully mediated the relationship between depression and SNSs addiction. The findings of the present study indicate that the Greek version of the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing SNSs addiction. The relationship between SNSs addiction and the biopsychosocial model was confirmed.

The Protective Role of Resilience in the Development of Social Media Addiction in Tertiary Students and Psychometric Properties of the Slovenian Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS)

“…Therefore, we can conclude that the Slovenian BSMAS measures much more than just excessive use. As reported in previous BSMAS validation studies [ 12 , 15 , 19 ], symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress are significantly associated with BSMAS scores. Furthermore, in line with our expectations, resilience negatively predicts BSMAS scores and may play a protective role in the process of developing social media addiction.…”

“…Measurement invariance between genders [ 15 , 16 , 17 ], age groups [ 17 ] and countries [ 18 ] was tested and (partially) confirmed in four studies. Significant positive correlations were found between the BSMAS score and frequency of social media use [ 12 , 15 , 18 , 19 , 20 ], gaming disorder [ 15 , 17 , 18 ] and symptoms of depression [ 12 , 15 , 19 , 20 ], anxiety [ 12 , 15 , 16 , 19 ] and stress [ 12 , 15 , 19 ]. The predominant focus of most validation studies was on the population of young adults and adolescents.…”

Psychometric assessment of the Bangla version of the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale

“…Besides, the moderate Association between social media usage duration and the Bangla BSMAS scores suggests its convergent validity. Other versions (i.e., Greek version [Dadiotis et al, 2021], Italian version [Monicas et al, 2017], Persian version [Lin et al, 2017], etc.) of the BSMAS also had both convergent and concurrent validity.…”

“…For this purpose, they defined social media in the instructions for participants as 'Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and the like' and replaced 'social media' instead of 'Facebook'. This scale was validated in several languages and cultures (i.e., Italian [Monacis et al, 2017], Persian [Lin et al, 2017], Greek [Dadiotis et al, 2021], etc.). Best to the authors' knowledge, the reliability and validity of the BSMAS are not examined yet in Bangladesh culture for assessing social media addiction among Bangladeshi people.…”

Effects of sleep quality on the association between problematic internet use and quality of life in people with substance use disorder

“…Chinese, English, Hungarian, Italian and Persian). 35,38,[41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48] A Chinese version of the BSMAS was used in the current study. The internal consistency of the BSMAS in the present study was good (α = 0.87).…”