Validation of the Arabic Smartphone Addiction Inventory (SPAI-A) among Jordanian adolescents: a psychometric study.

Abstract

Background: Smartphone addiction is a behavioral health issue prevalent worldwide, especially among adolescents. Although the Smartphone Addiction Inventory (SPAI) is commonly used, its psychometric characteristics have not been determined among Arab adolescents. This study examined the psychometric characteristics of the SPAI among Jordanian adolescents, particularly its internal consistency, construct validity, and factor structure.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey involved 960 high school students aged 13-17years. Respondents were randomly assigned to two subsamples. Latent structure was tested using exploratory factor analysis (EFA, n=480) and model fit using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA, n=480). Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega. Convergent and discriminant validity were tested through average variance extracted (AVE), composite reliability (CR), and heterotrait-monotrait ratios (HTMT).

Results: EFA supported a four-factor structure comprising tolerance, withdrawal, compulsive behavior, and functional impairment. CFA indicated acceptable model fit, χ²(146)=288.73, CFI=0.943, TLI=0.933, RMSEA=0.045, and SRMR=0.041. AVE values were below the conventional threshold of 0.50 across all four domains, while HTMT ratios showed good discriminant validity.

Conclusion: The findings support the multidimensional structure of the SPAI-A and provide evidence of its psychometric properties among Jordanian adolescents. The SPAI-A may be useful for assessing problematic smartphone use; however, further research is needed to establish its clinical screening performance and applicability in pediatric nursing practice.