Examining the Psychometric Properties of the Greek Version of the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) In University Students.

Evgenia S and Remos A

Published on: 2023-08-21

Abstract

Aims

Following the markedly growing internet use worldwide, there are similarly increasing concerns over the excessive internet misuse in the last 20 years. Internet addiction is described as the pathological or problematic use of the internet and is a pattern of excessive / forced use of the internet that causes distress and / or deficiencies. To study this phenomenon, a variety of psychometric tools have been developed to assess internet addiction. This study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Internet Addiction Test as developed by developed by [1] and adapted to Greek population.

Methods

The Greek version of the Internet Addiction Test was administered to 144 university students. Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis were carried out and the psychometric properties of the instrument were investigated in terms of its face validity content validity, construct validity, convergent validity and internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha. Correlations examining the associations between the demographic characteristics and the hours spent on the internet with the results of IAT were also checked.

Results

Exploratory Factor Analysis showed that 44% of the total variance was accounted for by one factor and the obtained factor structure was verified through Confirmatory Factor Analysis. The IAT score had moderate convergent validity with the total score of the DASS21 (r = .548, p < .01) and with its subscales (depression; r = 0.55, anxiety; r = 0.44, stress; r = 0.55). The IAT had high construct validity with the OCS, both its subscales (loneliness/depression; r = 0.71, diminished impulse control; r = 0.85, social comfort; r = 0.70, distraction; r = 0.78) and the total score (r = 0.86). The IAT demonstrated also good face validity. The internal consistency of the scale was excellent (Cronbach's alpha = 0.92). Nevertheless, the present findings also suggest that some items of the IAT need to be further reviewed and improved.

Conclusions

The present study confirms the validity and reliability of IAT in the Greek university students. Also, it contributes to a better understanding of the aspects of internet addiction, as many health professionals begin to realize that excessive internet use may have considered as a significant risk to some people.