title: Evaluation of the psychometric properties of the Italian Internet Addiction Test.
abstract: Since the diffusion of Internet addiction has emerged in several cultural contexts, it seems relevant to study the properties of the Internet Addiction Test (IAT)-the most widely used screening instrument-across various cultures. In Italy, only one study has examined the IAT factor validity, and a comprehensive investigation of its psychometric characteristics is so far lacking. The purpose of this study was to perform a psychometric analysis of the Italian IAT. A total of 840 students (Mage=18.65 years, SD=3.85 years; 59% female) were recruited. Pertaining to scale dimensionality, the best-fit measurement model includes two factors: "Emotional and cognitive preoccupations with the Internet and social consequences" and "Loss of control and interference with daily duties" (χ(2)/df=3.38; comparative fit index=0.88; Tucker-Lewis Index=0.87; root mean square error of approximation=0.07), which together explained 45.59% of the variance. Internal consistency Cronbach's alpha values ranged from 0.83 to 0.86. Convergent validity was demonstrated, with significant correlations between IAT and Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2 scores. The Italian version of the IAT was found to have good psychometric properties and a two-factorial structure. Identification of the IAT dimensions may help to define the construct better and develop intervention strategies.
authors: Department of Health Sciences, Psychology and Psychiatry Unit, University of Florence , Florence, Italy .
authors: Giulia
authors: G
authors: Fioravanti
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Casale
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D003469:Culture; D004644:Emotions; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007558:Italy; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012919:Social Behavior; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult