Psychometric validation of the Bangla Digital Addiction Scale for Teenagers and its associated factors among adolescents: MeLiSA study.

BACKGROUND

Digital addiction among adolescents is an escalating concern with profound psychological implications, yet validated tools to measure it and studies exploring its relationship remain limited.

AIMS

To validate the Bangla Digital Addiction Scale for Teenagers (Bangla DAST) and identify factors of digital addiction among Bangladeshi adolescents.

METHODS

Using a two-stage stratified cluster sampling method, data from 1496 adolescents in Bangladesh were collected and analysed using non-parametric tests, Spearman correlations and multiple regression models.

RESULTS

The two-factor structure, encompassing attachment to digital devices (Factor 1) and compulsive use in different places (Factor 2) was supported by confirmatory factor analysis (comparative fit index 0.97, Tucker-Lewis index 0.95, root mean square error of approximation 0.06 [90% CI: 0.056-0.07] and standardised root mean square residual 0.048). McDonald's omega was 0.81 for the total scale, 0.77 for Factor 1 and 0.63 for Factor 2. Convergent validity was supported by significant associations between digital addiction and psychological symptoms. Factors of digital addiction included age ( = 0.517, = 0.020), academic grade ( = 0.737, = 0.021), depression ( = 0.334, < 0.001), anxiety ( = 0.400, < 0.001) and insomnia ( = 0.504, < 0.001). In contrast, female gender ( = -1.250, = 0.001), not sleeping alone ( = -0.846, = 0.029) and reduced smartphone usage ( = -1.895, < 0.001) were associated with lower digital addiction scores. The model accounted for 23.1% of the variance in digital addiction.

CONCLUSIONS

The Bangla DAST appears to be a psychometrically valid and reliable tool and can be used for further studies assessing digital addiction among Bangladeshi adolescents. The study highlights the need for targeted preventive measures, particularly focusing on at-risk groups.