Adaptation, translation and validation of Internet Addiction Test (IAT)-Sinhalese version to detect internet addiction disorder among 15-19-year-old adolescents in Colombo District, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Introduction: The earth has been conceptually changed by the internet into a town of high-dimensional information networks. The internet has greatly enhanced many elements of people's lives and has integrated seamlessly into daily life. Internet addiction disorder is becoming a potentially troublesome condition that coexists with behavioural issues that are already present, particularly in adolescents.Objectives: To adapt, translate and validate a tool for detecting internet addiction disorder in adolescents aged 15-19 years in Colombo District, Sri LankaMethods: A cross-sectional validation study was conducted in which the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) was adapted, translated and validated into Sinhalese language (IAT-Sinhalese version). Statistical analysis was carried out with a sample size of 228 to test the construct validity using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). A total of 239 study participants were selected as the sample to test for Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Using LISREL 8.8, the statistical analysis was completed. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability methods were used to evaluate the reliability.Results: IAT-Sinhalese version demonstrated a four-factor model consisting of 20 items with the model indices of RMSEA of 0.06, CFI of 0.93, NNFI of 0.91, SRMR of 0.063 and GFI of 0.77. It had an acceptable internal consistency with Cronbach Alpha value of 0.782.Conclusions & Recommendations: IAT-Sinhalese version is a valid and reliable instrument to detect internet addiction disorder among 15-19-year-old adolescents in Sri Lanka.