Determination of the psychometric properties of the digital addiction scale for children.

AIM: To determine the psychometric properties of the Digital Addiction Scale for Children.

DESIGN AND METHOD: This methodological study included 506 children aged 9-12 years. Data were collected using the child and family information form, the digital addiction scale for children and the digital game addiction scale for children. The data were evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis Cronbach's alpha, convergent validity, and gender-based measurement invariance analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis was applied using Mplus 8.7 with robust maximum likelihood estimation procedures.

RESULTS: Confirmatory factor were performed for construct validity. The scale was found to have good model fit indicators. The factor loadings of all the components were found to be >0.40. Convergent validity of Digital addiction scale for children and digital game addiction scale showed a significant positive high correlation. The total Cronbach alpha value of the scale was determined as 0.94, and the Cronbach alpha values of the subscales as Interpersonal 0.89, and Intrapersonal 0.91.

CONCLUSION: The use of the digital addiction scale for children was determined to be a valid and reliable scale for the screening of digital device use and digital addiction in a Turkish sample.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Nurses and other health professionals have an important role in detecting situations that put children's health at risk and promoting positive behaviors. It is especially important that school health nurses use valid and reliable tools that can determine children's digital addictions. Since this scale is easy and practical, it is thought that it will contribute significantly to the literature.