OBJECTIVES: We designed a scale to gauge smartphone dependence and assessed its reliability and validity. METHODS: A prototype self-rating smartphone-dependence scale was tested on 133 medical students who use smartphones more frequently than other devices to access web pages. Each response was scored on a Likert scale (0, 1, 2, 3), with higher scores indicating greater dependence. To select items for the final scale, exploratory factor analysis was conducted. RESULTS: On the basis of factor analysis results, we designed the Wakayama Smartphone-Dependence Scale (WSDS) comprising 21 items with 3 subscales: immersion in Internet communication; using a smartphone for extended periods of time and neglecting social obligations and other tasks; using a smartphone while doing something else and neglect of etiquette. Our analysis confirmed the validity of the different elements of the WSDS: the reliability coefficient (Cronbach's alpha) values of all subscales and total WSDS were from 0.79 to 0.83 and 0.88, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the WSDS is a useful tool for rating smartphone dependence.
CITATION STYLE
Toda, M., Nishio, N., & Takeshita, T. (2015). Development of a New Scale for Gauging Smartphone Dependence. Nihon Eiseigaku Zasshi. Japanese Journal of Hygiene, 70(3), 259–263. https://doi.org/10.1265/jjh.70.259
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