Translation of the short version of the Smartphone Addiction Scale into Brazilian Portuguese: cross-cultural adaptation and testing of measurement properties

Background and purpose It is common for adolescents to experience insomnia disorder, especially older adolescents and girls. Its prevalence is similar to other major psychiatric disorders like depressive disorders. This study investigated the relationship between trunk position sense, smartphone addiction, fatigue severity, and adolescent insomnia. Material and methods A correlational study design was used. One hundred female adolescents participated in this study. They ranged in age from 17-18 years, their body mass index ranged from 16.4 to 24.8kg/m2, and their addiction score ranged from 33 to 60 on the smartphone addiction scale short version. Participants were excluded from the study if they had hearing and visual impairments, congenital disabilities, and musculoskeletal abnormalities. All students underwent assessments for trunk position sense, fatigue severity, and insomnia. The baseline digital inclinometer, fatigue severity scale, and insomnia severity index were used. Results The participants' scores on the Smartphone Addiction Scale (short version), Lumbar Flexion Joint Position Error, Fatigue Severity Scale, and Insomnia Severity Index were 43.38 ± 6.77, 5.84 ± 3.89, 4.47 ± 1.11, and 15.33 ± 5.08, respectively. The Smartphone Addiction Scale (short version) and Lumbar Flexion Joint Position Error showed a significant positive correlation, with r=0.374; p > 0.001. Additionally, a positive and highly significant correlation existed between the Smartphone Addiction Scale (short version) and the Fatigue Severity Scale, with r= 0.387; p > 0.001. However, the relationship between the Smartphone Addiction Scale (short version) and Insomnia Severity Index was weakly positive and significant, with r=0.217; p > 0.03. Conclusion Smartphone addiction could negatively affect trunk position sense, regular sleep, and level of fatigue.

Comparison of musculoskeletal pain and upper extremity disability in smartphone addicts and smartphone non-addicts among university students: A cross-sectional study

Smartphone addiction is a recent concern that has resulted from the dramatic increase in worldwide smartphone use. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate psychosocial factors affecting smartphone addiction in university students. The study was performed among students at the Ondokuz Mayis University Samsun School of Health (Samsun, Turkey) on October-December 2015. Four hundred ninety-four students possessing smartphones and agreeing to participate were included. A sociodemographic data form produced by the authors and consisting of 10 questions was administered together with a questionnaire involving the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV), the Flourishing Scale, the General Health Questionnaire, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. The questionnaires were applied in a class environment at face-to-face interviews. SAS-SV scores of 6.47% of students were "significantly higher" than the participating group mean SAS-SV score. Multiple regression analysis revealed that depression, anxiety and insomnia, and familial social support statistically, significantly predicted smartphone addiction. Further studies of smartphone addiction in different age groups and with different educational levels are now needed.

This study was carried out to examine the relationship between university students’ levels of psychological well-being and smartphone addiction. The study group consists of a total of 408 students (303 female and 105 male) selected by random sampling method and studying at the departments of Primary Education, Science Teaching, Art and Crafts Teaching, French Teaching, and Guidance and Psychological Counseling at the Faculty of Education, Ondokuz Mayis University in the 2015-2016 academic year. In this research, the Psychological Well-Being Scale, Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version, and Personal Information Form were used to collect data.The independent-samples t-test, arithmetic mean, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Scheffe's post hoc test were employed for the analysis and interpretation of data. The Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient was used for the relationship between the level of psychological well-being and the use of smartphones, and accordingly the results were evaluated.The relationship between university students’ levels of psychological well-being and smartphone addiction seems to be significant based on this research. Factors affecting university students’ levels of psychological well-being and smartphone addiction include gender, grade, parental attitudes, economic status of the family, and level of perception.

Although smartphones have considerable utility, they also have addiction potential. The early detection of problematic smartphone use (PSU) can have significant implications for managing its psychosocial consequences. Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Version (SAS-SV), initially developed for South Korean adolescents, has emerged as a reliable measure for adults across countries. However, SAS-SV continues to be used unvalidated in India. To evaluate the psychometric properties of SAS-SV for the Indian adult population. Content validation of SAS-SV was done by 10 experts, followed by data collection for validation using a cross-sectional design from 434 participants (M age = 25.4; SD age = 2.6; 58.8% females). The datasheet consisted of a sociodemographic questionnaire and SAS-SV. Statistical analyses comprised confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), exploratory factor analysis (EFA), reliability analyses, percentiles, and evaluation of sociodemographic variables. SAS-SV's content validity index was 0.93, and item wordings were adjusted after experts' feedback. CFA did not show good fit indices; hence, EFA was used, which explained 44% of the variance from a unifactorial model. Cronbach's alpha was 0.85, McDonald's Omega was 0.86, and test-retest reliability was 0.81. There were no significant PSU differences in gender, marital status, and occupational status. Higher PSU was associated with lower age, lower education, nuclear family, and more hours of smartphone usage. The current study established the psychometric properties of SAS-SV for the Indian adult population. SAS-SV can be used for assessment and treatment monitoring of PSU.

Sexual Function and Problematic Use of Smartphones and Social Networking Sites

Problematic smartphone use (PSU) is an emerging public and social issue, potentially connected to the significant increase in smartphone applications. Different scales have been designed and developed to identify the risk of smartphone addiction, and the 10-item Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Version (SAS-SV) is one of the most used instruments to assess the risk of PSU. The main objective of the present study was to provide further psychometric properties of the Italian version of the SAS-SV. The study was conducted with a convenience sample of 858 Italian university students. Parallel and confirmatory factor analyses were performed to confirm if the one-factor structure fitted the data well. In addition, because previous studies have emphasised gender and age differences in the SAS-SV, measurement invariance was also tested. Network analysis, predictive validity, and convergent validity were also explored. The parallel analysis results suggested removing Item 3 (feeling pain) because its factor loading was low, resulting in a nine-item SAS-SV. The measurement invariance showed that the SAS-SV performed similarly for gender and age. However, partial scalar invariance across gender and age was observed. Furthermore, gender differences indicated that more females than males scored higher on SAS-SV. No significant age differences were found. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve results indicated a cut-off of 29 points as the best for the SAS-SV (AUC = 0.85). Moreover, among males, the cut-off was 25 (AUC = 0.84), and among females, the cut-off was 30 (AUC = 0.84). The SAS-SV showed a strong association with problematic social media use (PSMU) and other variables related to smartphone use (e.g., time spent on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp). Overall, the present study results indicate that the nine-item SAS-SV appears to be a valid and reliable instrument to assess PSU risk among Italian university students.

This study aimed to describe the relationships between leisure boredom, leisure satisfaction, and smartphone addictions among university students. The study sample consisted of 258 participants, 143 males and 115 females, studying at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Sports Sciences. The participants were selected using the purposeful sampling method. Data collection tools involved a personal information form, the "Leisure Boredom Scale (LBS)", the "Leisure Satisfaction Scale (LSS)" and "Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV)". Independent t-Test results revealed a significant difference in SAS-SV by gender. The MANOVA results indicated a significant difference between the "Satisfaction" sub-dimension of LBS and the "Educational," "Social," "Physical," and "Relaxation" sub-dimensions of LSS by gender. A significant difference was found between LBS's "Satisfaction" sub-dimension and all sub-dimensions of LSS by income status. According to the ANOVA results, there was no significant relationship between the SAS-SV scores by income status of the participants. Besides, there was a negative and low-level correlation between age and the "Satisfaction" sub-dimension of LBS, the "Physical" and "Relaxation" sub-dimensions of LSS and SAS-SV. There was a negative and low correlation between "Boredom" of LBS and "Psychological," "Social," and "Relaxation" sub-dimensions of LSS, and there was a positive and low correlation between LBS and SAS-SV. Similarly, a positive and low-level relationship was determined between all sub-dimensions of LSS and SAS-SV. In this sense, it was concluded that the LBS, LSS, and SAS-SV scores differed according to the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants. As leisure boredom increased, leisure satisfaction decreased, and smartphone addiction increased. It was also found that as leisure satisfaction improved, smartphone addiction increased.

Problematic smartphone use (PSU) is a global issue associated with numerous adverse outcomes, especially among young people. One of the most widely used instruments to evaluate PSU is the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV). This study examined the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the SAS-SV, including factorial validity, convergent validity, divergent validity, and reliability. The final sample comprised 530 students from a university in Honduras. Confirmatory factor analysis provided evidence supporting the validity of the instrument's internal structure. Reliability was estimated using McDonald's omega and Cronbach's alpha coefficients. Convergent validity was assessed through correlations with problematic Internet use, depression, anxiety, and stress. Measurement invariance tests were conducted across sex and age categories. The results indicated that the SAS-SV adequately fits a one-dimensional, reliable model and demonstrated measurement equivalence across groups of sex and age. Finally, the SAS-SV demonstrated a strong correlation with problematic Internet use, depression, anxiety, and stress. These findings support the SAS-SV as a valid and reliable instrument for examining PSU among university students in Honduras.

Background and Objectives: Smartphone use has been rapidly increasing worldwide, which has brought possible smartphone addiction into the focus of research. In order to identify potential smartphone addicts, several scales were developed to assess smartphone addiction. Among them, the Smartphone Addiction Scale was frequently used. The study aimed to test the reliability and validity of the Serbian version of the SAS-SV and estimate smartphone addiction prevalence among medical students. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in December 2018 on a convenience sample of 323 third-year medical students. The cross-cultural adaptation was performed following the well-established guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation of self-reported measures. Exploratory factor analysis was used to examine the structure of the questionnaire. Factor extraction was performed by principal component analysis with Varimax rotation. For test–retest reliability, students completed the questionnaire twice within seven days. Results: The Serbian version of the SAS-SV showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.89) and excellent reliability for test–retest scores (ICC = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.92–0.96). Factor analysis supported the extraction of one factor, which explained 51.538% of the variance. To explore convergent validity furthermore, the SAS-SV was correlated with time indicators of smartphone use. According to cut-off values for the SAS-SV score, 19.5% of students could be regarded as “addicted”, and often spent more time on smartphones and social networks on working days and weekends than “not addicted” students. Conclusions: The Serbian version of the SAS-SV is a reliable and valid instrument for detecting smartphone addiction among university students. Further research on this issue is encouraged to enable a better understanding of this ever-increasing public health issue.

Background: Smartphone addiction (SA) is "mainly described as excessive or poorly controlled preoccupations, utilization or behaviour regarding smartphone use; to the extent that people neglect different facets of life." SA has become a significant global issue for university students. The use of smartphones in poor posture may lead to forward head position (Forward Head Posture- FHP). FHP significantly impairs the respiratory system by weakening the respiratory muscles. The Smartphone Addiction Scale short version (SAS-SV) was created to measure smartphone addiction in a simplified manner. Objective: The purpose of this study is to look into the relationship between smartphone addiction and respiratory function in college students. PFT and SAS-SV were used to assess the relationship between head-forward postural deviation and ventilatory function. Aim of study: The intention behind the study was to determine the influence of addiction of smartphone on respiratory performance in college students, as well as to identify the association between forward head posture, SAS-SV, and target wall tests. Method: The subjects were selected according to selective criteria between 18 and 24 years old. Written consent was taken. The tragus-to-wall distance and SAS-SV were taken to evaluate correlation. A spirometer is used to assess FVC, FEV1, and PEFR. Result: The result of the study was statistically non-significant with the FVC (P value 0.072), FEV1(P value 0.736), and PEFR (P value 0.491,) which means there was no effect of smartphone addiction on respiratory function, but there was statistically significant difference in FHP (P value 0.002) Conclusion: The study concluded that while smartphone use does not affect respiratory function, it may contribute to changes in forward head posture.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the construct validity and reliability of the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) among male and female Iranian student populations. The study used a prospective study design protocol. From January 2019 to April 2019, 388 participants (193 boys and 195 girls, aged 12 to 16 years old) volunteered to complete a SAS-SV questionnaire and sociodemographic-related questions. Factor analysis, t-tests, ANOVA (mean comparison), and correlation analysis were conducted to verify SAS reliability and validity. A confirmatory factor analysis was performed using LISREL 8, and data analysis was completed using SPSS (version 24). Statistical significance was established at p < 0.05. For content validity, ten final questions were selected. The internal consistency and concurrent validity of the SAS was verified with a Cronbach’s alpha score of 0.85, of which the SAS-SV scores revealed a statistically significant difference (p = 0.001), demonstrating a score of 37.1 in those individuals addicted to smartphones. Moreover, the ROC analysis results showed an area under a curve (AUC) value. The values for the boys were AUC = 0.974 0.899–1.000, cut-off = 34, sensitivity = 0.882, and specificity = 0.910. Values for the girls were AUC = 0.957 0.897–1.000, cut-off = 37, sensitivity = 0.893, and specificity = 0.893. The SAS-SV showed good reliability and validity to assess smartphone addiction. In addition, the SAS-SV can be used to clinically examine and assess Iranian students with identified smartphone addiction issues.

Problematic Smartphone Use (PSU) is a growing concern, particularly among university students, due to its potential negative impacts on mental health, academic performance, and daily functioning. Characterized by compulsive smartphone use, PSU is linked to anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. Understanding PSU in university settings is essential for creating effective interventions. Additionally, primary care settings can play a key role in identifying and managing PSU to support overall well-being. This cross-sectional study involved 867 students from Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. Participants completed the Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Version (SAS-SV) to assess PSU levels. The study explored associations between PSU, daily smartphone usage time, and gender using descriptive statistics and correlation analyses. The findings revealed that 55% of the students exhibited PSU. A significant correlation was observed between increased daily smartphone usage and higher PSU levels. However, no significant gender differences were found. These results highlight the widespread nature of PSU among university students and its strong association with smartphone usage patterns. The study underscores the importance of addressing PSU in primary healthcare settings, where early detection and intervention can prevent further psychological and social consequences. Primary care providers can offer counselling, screen for PSU, and guide students towards healthier smartphone habits.Contribution:This study provides valuable insights into the prevalence and impact of PSU among university students. It emphasizes the vital role of primary care in addressing this emerging health issue to improve students' mental health and overall quality of life.

Background: Smartphones have become an integral part of modern life, particularly among young adults in health sciences. Prolonged smartphone use leads to poor posture and repetitive thumb movements, resulting in repetitive stress injuries involving the neck and upper extremities. The two commonly emerging musculoskeletal disorders associated with these behaviors are known as “Text Neck Syndrome” and “SMS Thumb.” Both conditions are linked to smartphone addiction, a behavioral pattern increasingly prevalent among students. Objective: To determine the prevalence and correlation of Text Neck Syndrome and SMS Thumb among undergraduate health sciences students using smartphones. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 378 undergraduate students aged 17–25 years from seven medical universities in Karachi. Participants using smartphones for at least one hour daily were included. Data were collected using a structured proforma containing demographic details and three validated instruments: Smartphone Addiction Scale–Short Version (SAS-SV), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and Cornell Hand Discomfort Questionnaire (CHDQ). SPSS version 23.0 was used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient assessed the relationship between SAS-SV, NDI, and CHDQ. Chi-square and Kruskal–Wallis tests were applied to determine associations, with a significance level set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: The mean ± SD scores were SAS-SV 34.97 ± 1.09, NDI 11.35 ± 0.80, and CHDQ 27.43 ± 2.94 (95% CI: 33.93–36.02, 10.55–12.15, 24.49–30.36, respectively). Neck pain was reported by 52.9% of participants and thumb pain by 59.6%. Pearson’s correlation revealed significant positive relationships between SAS-SV and NDI (r = 0.458; p = 0.000) and between SAS-SV and CHDQ (r = 0.240; p = 0.000). Chi-square analysis demonstrated a strong association between smartphone addiction and thumb pain (p = 0.000). Conclusion: The study identified a high prevalence of smartphone addiction among undergraduate students, significantly associated with text neck and SMS thumb. These musculoskeletal disorders, though initially reversible, may lead to chronic disability if preventive ergonomic practices and postural awareness are not adopted.

BackgroundSmartphone use has increased significantly, especially during the period of global pandemic caused by the novel SARS-CoV2 coronavirus (COVID-19). Concurrently, smartphone addiction is a growing social problem in children and adolescents with the consequence of adverse health outcomes. This study assessed the prevalence of smartphone addiction, patterns of use, and the experienced body-region discomfort among Iranian school students during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA cross-sectional study with students from grades 1–9 recruited n = 585 participants (mean age = 14.49 (2.26 years); female = 65.8%). Data were collected from parents and students through the online 'Smartphone addiction scale-short version’ (SAS-SV), self-reported demographic questionnaires, and extracts of the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire for the evaluation of musculoskeletal disorders.ResultsThe prevalence rate of smartphone addiction (53.3%) was relatively high in the overall sample. Participants spent 6.85 (4.62) hours per day on their smartphones, which had increased 53.86% relative to the pre-pandemic period. The primary smartphone uses were for social networking (77.9%), web-surfing (53.3%), and camera activities (50.9%). There was a positive correlation between smartphone addiction as assessed with the SAS-SV and daily use time (r = 0.34, p < 0.001), and the percentage of change relative to the pre-pandemic period (r = 0.26, p < 0.001). Discomfort related to smartphone use was mostly reported as present in the eyes (39.7%) and neck (39.1%). A positive correlation was found (p < 0.001) between smartphone addiction and discomfort in the eyes, neck, wrists, shoulders, and upper-back.ConclusionThe more frequent usage of smartphones by students during the Covid-19 pandemic were associated predominantly with discomfort to the eyes and neck. Parents should consider the complications of musculoskeletal and postural changes during the child’s future years and pay particular attention to the individual’s patterns of smartphone use with an emphasis on posture and usage that reduces discomfort to the eyes and the musculoskeletal system, particularly the neck.