Psychometric Properties of the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS) Among Students at Jeddah University, KSA

Abstract

Objectives: The current study examines the psychometric properties (validity and reliability) of the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS) to verify its adequacy for the Saudi environment. The study identifies gender differences in smartphone addiction at Jeddah University and highlights a variety of smartphone-based activities. Methods: The sample consists of (272) male and female students at Jeddah University, and it is divided into)152(female students and)120(male students, respectively representing 55.9% and 44.1%. Their ages range from 19 to 23 years old with an average age of 21.66 and a standard deviation of 1.732. The tools include a basic data collection form and the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS) by Kwon et al., 2013a. Results: The study shows that the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS) has good psychometric properties, reflecting its validity and reliability in the Saudi environment. Moreover, the study reveals that there are significant differences between male and female university students in smartphone addiction at 0.001, favoring male students. That is, male students suffer more from smartphone addiction than female students. In addition, the study shows that there are diverse smartphone-based activities among students. Conclusion: Based on the results, the study recommends offering counseling programs, lectures, and seminars to raise awareness of the negative effects of using smartphones and to help university students (especially males) to get rid of this behavioral addiction.