Abstract
We designed a Japanese version of the Smartphone Dependence Scale (J-SDS) for university students, and assessed its validity and reliability. For development of this scale, we initially selected 43 preliminary items based on previous studies of Internet and mobile phone dependence. Each response was scored using a Likert scale (0, 1, 2, 3), with higher scores indicating greater dependence. After administering the preliminary scale to 149 university students, the final 29 items were selected according to exploratory factor analysis. The final scale consisted of 5 factors: 1) craving and withdrawal, 2) overuse and tolerance, 3) virtual life orientation, 4) disturbance of concentration in class, and 5) physical symptoms. Reliability coefficient (Cronbach’s alpha) values for the 5 factors and total J-SDS were 0.87, 0.87, 0.76, 0.77, 0.69, and 0.92, respectively. We then summed the Likert scores for each item to provide a quantitative overall smartphone dependence score, with higher scores indicating greater dependence. The J-SDS score became significantly higher with longer hours of smartphone use (p < 0.001). Our results suggest that the J-SDS is a reliable and valid scale for screening university students who may be at risk of developing smartphone dependence.
Highlights
The smartphone has rapidly developed over recent years and its use has become widespread an established part of daily life in many countries
The final 29 items of the Japanese version of the Smartphone Dependence Scale (J-SDS) were selected according to exploratory factor analysis
Five factors were extracted for these variables, i.e., craving and withdrawal (10 items: first listed in Table 1), overuse and tolerance (8 items: numbers - 18), virtual life orientation (6 items: numbers 19 - 24), disturbance of concentration in class (2 items: numbers 25 and 26), and physical symptoms (3 items: numbers 27 - 29)
Summary
The smartphone has rapidly developed over recent years and its use has become widespread an established part of daily life in many countries. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan, the penetration rate of mobile phone use was 94.6% in 2014, with smartphones comprising 64.2% of those devices [1]. While this information and communication technology resource is very convenient and popular, various social issues have arisen in association with its use, including changes in interpersonal relationships, interference with school or work, physical health-related problems including pain in the wrists or back of the neck, sleep disturbance, excessive use, and even dependence (addiction). Adolescents may be at higher risk for exhibiting problems seen with the use of smartphones as compared to adults, because younger generations typically use smartphones as the primary tool to access the Internet [2] [5]
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