Portuguese validation of the Internet addiction test: an empirical study

Pontes, H ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8020-7623, Patrão, I and Griffiths, M ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8880-6524, 2014. Portuguese validation of the Internet addiction test: an empirical study. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 3 (2), pp. 107-114. ISSN 2062-5871

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Abstract

Background and aims: Research into Internet addiction (IA) has increased greatly over the last decade. Despite its various definitions and general lack of consensus regarding its conceptualisation amongst researchers, instruments for measuring this phenomenon have proliferated in a number of countries. There has been little research on IA in Portugal and this may be partly due to the absence of standardised measurement tools for assessing IA. Methods: This study attempted to address this issue by adapting a Portuguese version of the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) via a translation-back translation process and Confirmatory Factor Analysis in a sample of 593 Portuguese students that completed a Portuguese version of the IAT along with questions related to socio-demographic variables. Results: The findings suggested that the IAT appears to be a valid and reliable instrument for measuring IA among Portuguese young adults as demonstrated by its satisfactory psychometric properties. However, the present findings also suggest the need to reword and update some of the IAT’s items. Prevalence of IA found in the sample was 1.2% and is discussed alongside findings relating to socio-demographic correlates. Limitations and implications of the present study are also discussed. Conclusions: The present study calls for a reflection of the IAT while also contributing to a better understanding of the basic aspects of IA in the Portuguese community since many health practitioners are starting to realise that Internet use may pose a risk for some individuals.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	Journal of Behavioral Addictions
Creators:	Pontes, H., Patrão, I. and Griffiths, M.
Publisher:	Akadémiai Kiadó
Place of Publication:	Budapest
Date:	2014
Volume:	3
Number:	2
ISSN:	2062-5871
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1556/JBA.3.2014.2.4 DOI
Rights:	© 2014 Akadémiai Kiadó
Divisions:	Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by:	EPrints Services
Date Added:	09 Oct 2015 09:40
Last Modified:	09 Jun 2017 13:08
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/868

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