Assessing the Psychometric Properties of the Internet Addiction Test in Peruvian University Students

Psychometric validation of Young's Internet Addiction Test among Chinese undergraduate students

The global prevalence of internet addiction is escalating annually and uncontrollable use of the internet can cause significant physical and psychological damage. Young's Internet Addiction Test (IAT), widely utilized across diverse cultures, has demonstrated structural inconsistencies in previous research, with some items requiring refinement. This study aimed to validate the IAT among Chinese undergraduate students and assess its psychometric properties. The IAT's structure was initially explored through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) using pilot study data (n=376), with internal consistency and test-retest reliability (n=96) evaluated. Subsequently, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was conducted using data from the actual study (n=1042) to confirm the structure. Results showed that a three-factor solution explained 61.29% of the total variance with a satisfactory model fit (χ2/df = 4.382, RMSEA = 0.057, CFI = 0.952, TLI = 0.943, SRMR = 0.045, AIC = 798.755) and psychometric properties, validating the IAT's utility for future investigations of internet addiction in Chinese undergraduates. Notably, a high prevalence of moderate internet addiction was observed within the sample, highlighting the significance of this issue in the target population and emphasizing the need for further research and potential interventions.

Validation of the Amharic version of Internet Addiction Test-20: a cross-sectional study

Background

Internet Addiction is defined as excessive internet use or poorly controlled preoccupations, impulses, or behaviors related to computer use and internet access that cause impairment or suffering. It had devastating effect on people lives, families, productivity, academic performance and rarely engaging in criminal acts like alcohol use, drug addiction, or compulsive gambling. This study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the Amharic version of Internet Addiction Test-20 among Addis Ababa University, College of Health Sciences medical students, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross sectional study was carried out among 410 medical students using a convenience sampling method after stratifying them based on their year level. SPSS Version 23 was used to do Pearson's correlation coefficient to determine the convergent validity of Amharic version of IAT. We computed correlation coefficient between the aggregate scores of IAT-20 and the scores for depressive symptoms, problematic substance use, and other characteristics of participants which was assessed using Patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) and questionnaire developed to assess demographic and internet use related characteristics, respectively. AMOS 23 software was used to conduct confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to evaluate the construct validity of Amharic version of IAT. Test-retest reliability was also determined with 2 weeks interval (n = 51).

Results

The data confirmed a two-factor structure. Normed Fit Index (NFI) = 0.89, Tucker Lewis Index (TLI) = 0.91 and Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.92, Root Mean Square Error Approximation (RMSEA) = 0.07, and Standardized Root Mean Residual (SRMR) =0.05 indicated a good fit model structure. There was moderate positive correlation between the aggregate scores of IAT-20 and PHQ-9 scores (r = 0.55, p < 0.00), but weak positive correlation between IAT-20 and ASSIST scores (r = 0.14, p < 0.00). IAT-20 was also found to have good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.89 for each factor). The test-retest reliability was also good for all items (Intra Class Correlation Coefficient (ICC) > 0.30) except item 16.

Conclusion

We found that the IAT-20 is psychometrically sound and a simple screening test for Internet Addiction. However, it is important to acknowledge that further studies are necessary to replicate these findings on diverse population.

Attention, Externalizing and Internalizing Problems Mediated Differently on Internet Gaming Disorder Among Children and Adolescents With a Family History of Addiction as an Adverse Childhood Experience

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to examine the factors associated with internet gaming disorder (IGD) and the mediating role of pediatric symptoms (attention, externalizing problems and internalizing problems) in children and adolescents with a family history of addiction as an adverse childhood experience (ACE).

METHODS

A total of 2,586 children and adolescents (mean age = 14.04 ± 2.34; age range = 11-19 years; 50.5% boys) completed the Internet Game Use-Elicited Symptom Screen and the Pediatric Symptom Checklist-17. IBM SPSS Statistics 21 was used to calculate descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation coefficients and to conduct multiple regression analyses. Mediation analysis was performed using the Sobel test and the SPSS PROCESS macro. Serial multiple mediation analysis was performed using bootstrapping with 5,000 replications.

RESULTS

The higher levels of Attention problems (β = -0.228, P < 0.001) and externalizing problems (β = -0.213, P < 0.001) were associated with IGD. Furthermore, the indirect effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable through the mediators was significant (Sobel's T: Z = -5.006, P < 0.001). These findings suggest that attention and externalizing problems mediate the effect of family history of addiction on IGD.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated the associations among the family history of addiction, IGD, and pediatric symptoms (attention, externalizing problems, and internalizing problems) among Korean children and adolescents. Therefore, we need to pay attention to pediatric symptoms and develop systematic alternatives to improve mental health among Korean children and adolescents with a family history of addiction as ACEs.

Clinical Usefulness of a Short Version of the Internet Addiction Test to Screen for Probable Internet Addiction in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Internet addiction (IA) is defined as the condition of being addicted to all sorts of activities on the Internet. Individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), may be susceptible to IA. Early detection and intervention for probable IA are important to prevent severe IA. In this study, we investigated the clinical usefulness of a short version of the Internet Addiction Test (s-IAT) for the screening of IA among autistic adolescents. The subjects were 104 adolescents with a confirmed diagnosis of ASD. They were requested to answer 20 questions from the original Internet Addiction Test (IAT). In the data analysis process, we comparatively calculated the sum of scores to the 12 questions of s-IAT. In total, 14 of the 104 subjects were diagnosed as having IA based on the face-to-face clinical interview that was regarded as the gold standard. Statistical analysis suggested that the optimal cut-off for s-IAT was at 35. When we applied the cut-off of 70 on the IAT, only 2 of 14 subjects (14.3%) with IA were screened positive, whereas 10 (71.4%) of them were screened by using the cut-off point of 35 on s-IAT. The s-IAT might be useful for the screening of IA in adolescents with ASD.

Psychometric property and measurement invariance of internet addiction test: the effect of socio-demographic and internet use variables

Background

According to the validation literature on items of Young’s Internet Addiction Test (IAT), this study rephrased disputable items to improve the psychometric properties of this Chinese version of IAT and identify the presence of differential item function (DIF) among demographic and Internet use factors; detect the effect of demographic and Internet use factors on IAT after adjusting for DIF.

Methods

An online questionnaire was distributed to college students in Zhe Jiang province in two stage. The 1st phase study collected 384 valid responses to examine the quality of IAT items by using Rasch Model analysis and exploring factor analysis (EFA). The online questionnaire was modified according to the 1st phase study and distributed online for the 2nd phase study which collected a total of 1131 valid responses. The 2nd phase study applied confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and a multiple indicator multiple causes (MIMIC) model to verify the construct of IAT, potential effect of covariates on IAT latent factors, as well as the effect of differential item functioning (DIF).

Results

Rasch model analysis in the 1st phase study indicated a 5-point rating scale was performed better, no sever misfit was found on item. The overall property of Chinese version IAT with the 5-point scale was good to excellent person and item separation (2.66 and 6.86). A three-factor model was identified by EFA. In the 2nd phase study, IAT 13 were detected with DIF for gender in MIMIC model. After correcting DIF effect, the significant demographic and Internet use factors on IAT were time spent online per day, year 3, year 2, general users.

Conclusion

Item improvement was efficient that the problematic items found in literature was performed good in this study. The overall psychometric property of this Chinese version IAT was good with limited DIF effect in one item. Item improvement on IAT13 was encouraged in the future study to avoid gender bias and benefit for epidemiology on PIU.

Psychometric evaluation of the internet addiction test in India

The Internet Addiction Test is a widely used assessment of symptoms of internet addiction. Although originally proposed as assessing different components of internet addiction, research has been mixed in terms of its factor structure. This study is the first to examine the psychometric properties of the IAT in an Indian population. A large sample (N = 2700) of Indians living in the Southern city of India were recruited door-to-door and completed the IAT and other validity measures. In Study 1, an exploratory factor analysis (n = 1375) indicated a one-factor structure, with 13 items measuring symptoms of internet addiction. This short-form IAT showed construct and convergent validity by correlating with higher daily internet use, higher scores on measures of problematic internet gaming, social media use, and smartphone use, and functional impact. In Study 2, confirmatory factor analysis (n = 1375) indicted this one-factor structure was a good fit to the data, and the correlations with validity measures were replicated. This short-form IAT appears to be valid as a measure of one underlying factor of problematic internet use in young Indian adults.

Prevalence of Internet Addiction and its Correlates Among Regular Undergraduate Medicine and Health Science Students at Ambo University. Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction:

Internet addiction (IA) is causing academic failure, decreased concentration ability, and a negative affective state. In Ethiopia, studies conducted on IA were limited; therefore, this study aimed to assess its prevalence and risk factors among medicine and health science (MHS) students of Ambo University.

Materials and Methods:

This study was a cross-sectional study and included MHS students of Ambo University from July 15 to August 15, 2021. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire after receiving informed consent from study participants. The results were analyzed using the statistical software for social sciences version 24. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to explore the relationship between IA and dependent variables.

Results:

Of the 253 participants who participated in the study, 201 (79%) were found to have an IA. Having one’s own computer, Internet access at home and an email account were 2 times more risky to develop IA compared to their counterparts with AOR = 2.615 (95% CI = 1.118-5.956) with a P value of .022, AOR = 2.154 (95% CI = 1.054-4.405) with a P value of .35 and (=2.154 (95% CI = 1.054-4.405 with a P value of .035 respectively. Additionally, those who use the Internet for news were 2.5 times more likely to develop IA compared to those who do not (AOR = 2.551 (95% CI = 1.225-5.349) with a P-value of .013). The use of the Internet for scientific research and education reduces IA by 0.7 times (AOR = 0.323 (95% CI = 0.120-0.868) with a P value of .025).

Conclusions:

The prevalence of IA was found to be high in this study. Therefore, strategies are needed to minimize the prevalence of this problem.

The Six-Item Version of the Internet Addiction Test: Its Development, Psychometric Properties, and Measurement Invariance among Women with Eating Disorders and Healthy School and University Students

Internet addiction (IA) is widespread, comorbid with other conditions, and commonly undetected, which may impede recovery. The Internet Addiction Test (IAT) is widely used to evaluate IA among healthy respondents, with less agreement on its dimensional structure. This study investigated the factor structure, invariance, predictive validity, criterion validity, and reliability of the IAT among Spanish women with eating disorders (EDs, N = 123), Chinese school children (N = 1072), and Malay/Chinese university students (N = 1119). In school children, four factors with eigen values > 1 explained 50.2% of the variance, with several items cross-loading on more than two factors and three items failing to load on any factor. Among 19 tested models, CFA revealed excellent fit of a unidimensional six-item IAT among ED women and university students (χ2(7) = 8.695, 35.038; p = 0.275, 0.001; CFI = 0.998, 981; TLI = 0.996, 0.960; RMSEA = 0.045, 0.060; SRMR = 0.0096, 0.0241). It was perfectly invariant across genders, academic grades, majors, internet use activities, nationalities (Malay vs. Chinese), and Malay/Chinese female university students vs. Spanish women with anorexia nervosa, albeit it was variant at the scalar level in tests involving other EDs, signifying increased tendency for IA in pathological overeating. The six-item IAT correlated with the effects of internet use on academic performance at a greater level than the original IAT (r = -0.106, p < 0.01 vs. r = -0.78, p < 0.05), indicating superior criterion validity. The six-item IAT is a robust and brief measure of IA in healthy and diseased individuals from different cultures.

Emerging Health and Education Issues Related to Internet Technologies and Addictive Problems

This timely editorial paper outlines some of the main emerging research on technological topics on health and education approaches to Internet use-related problems before and during the beginning of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Background: The aim is to provide a brief overview to facilitate a rapid comprehensive and practical approach to these new trends to promote research, interventions, education, and prevention. Methods: The rapid review includes an analysis of both health and education technologies studies on Internet use-related addiction problems included in the Special Issue “Internet and Smartphone Use-Related Addiction Health Problems: Treatment, Education and Research” to extract recent findings and a few reflections about the development of the field before and during the first wave of the COVID-19. Results: Main findings highlighted studies which tended to be empirical, with a relational type associating specific addictive problems with individual and a few contextual factors in adult populations. Psychometric studies about scales are prevalent, but predictive and mixed methods ones are starting to emerge, together with reviews about conceptualisation, measure, treatment, and prevention. Conclusions: From the arrival of Internet, our societies have converged in a global culture which has impacted health and educational domains. Internet use-related addiction problems have globally emerged and common knowledge, advances, and strategies exist to overcome challenges which are starting to be tested, and prevention interest has arisen in a pandemic situation with global health problems holistically tackled.