Evaluating Problematic Smartphone Use Among Chinese Primary School Students Using SABAS: An IRT and Network Analysis

IF 2.4 3区医学 Q2 PSYCHIATRY

International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research Pub Date : 2025-04-01 DOI:10.1002/mpr.70016

Siyang Liu, Qian Chen, Jiayang Li, Yimeng Zhu, Xiaorong Guo, Xin Zhao

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Abstract

Objectives

This study assessed the psychometric properties of the Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (SABAS) among Chinese primary school students, focusing on validity, reliability, and factor structure using Item Response Theory (IRT) and Network Analysis (NA).

Methods

Data were collected from 1108 primary school students in China (52.98% female; ages 7–14 years; M = 10.58, SD = 0.99). SABAS was assessed using Item Response Theory (IRT) for factor structure, item parameters, cut-off scores, and reliability, while Differential Item Functioning (DIF) detected gender biases. Network Analysis (NA) examined the interrelationships among SABAS items.

Results

Confirmatory factor analysis supported SABAS's unidimensional structure (RMSEA = 0.055, CFI = 0.984, TLI = 0.973, SRMR = 0.025). IRT indicated high item discrimination (α = 1.47–2.47) and identified a cut-off score of 27, classifying 1.7% of students as high-risk for problematic smartphone use. Gender DIF was noted in item 6, with boys showing higher relapse tendencies (p < 0.05). NA highlighted the centrality of tolerance and withdrawal items.

Conclusions

SABAS is a reliable tool for assessing problematic smartphone use in Chinese primary school students, particularly those at moderate to high risk.

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使用SABAS评估中国小学生智能手机使用问题：IRT和网络分析

目的运用项目反应理论（IRT）和网络分析（NA）对中国小学生智能手机应用成瘾量表（SABAS）的效度、信度和因子结构进行评估。方法收集全国1108名小学生(女生52.98%；7-14岁；M = 10.58, sd = 0.99)。采用项目反应理论（IRT）评估SABAS的因素结构、项目参数、截止分数和信度，而差异项目功能（DIF）检测性别偏见。网络分析（NA）检验了SABAS项目之间的相互关系。结果验证性因子分析支持SABAS的单维结构（RMSEA = 0.055, CFI = 0.984, TLI = 0.973, SRMR = 0.025）。IRT显示高项目歧视（α = 1.47-2.47），并确定了27分的临界值，将1.7%的学生归类为问题智能手机使用的高风险学生。性别DIF在项目6中被注意到，男孩表现出更高的复发倾向(p <；0.05)。NA强调了耐受性和戒断项目的中心地位。结论SABAS是评估中国小学生智能手机使用问题的可靠工具，尤其是中高风险学生。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research 医学-精神病学

CiteScore

5.20

自引率

6.50%

发文量

审稿时长

>12 weeks

期刊介绍： The International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research (MPR) publishes high-standard original research of a technical, methodological, experimental and clinical nature, contributing to the theory, methodology, practice and evaluation of mental and behavioural disorders. The journal targets in particular detailed methodological and design papers from major national and international multicentre studies. There is a close working relationship with the US National Institute of Mental Health, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Diagnostic Instruments Committees, as well as several other European and international organisations. MPR aims to publish rapidly articles of highest methodological quality in such areas as epidemiology, biostatistics, generics, psychopharmacology, psychology and the neurosciences. Articles informing about innovative and critical methodological, statistical and clinical issues, including nosology, can be submitted as regular papers and brief reports. Reviews are only occasionally accepted. MPR seeks to monitor, discuss, influence and improve the standards of mental health and behavioral neuroscience research by providing a platform for rapid publication of outstanding contributions. As a quarterly journal MPR is a major source of information and ideas and is an important medium for students, clinicians and researchers in psychiatry, clinical psychology, epidemiology and the allied disciplines in the mental health field.