Adaptation of the complete and brief version of the Social Media Addiction Questionnaire (ARS) in Peruvian adolescents from the Amazon region

Background

Adapting instruments to the local context is essential for accurately assessing population characteristics while minimizing measurement bias, ensuring that the data reflects the true attributes and behaviors of the group being studied. This study aimed to adapt and validate both the original and brief versions of the Social Media Addiction Questionnaire (ARS) for adolescent students in the San Martín Region of Peru. Specifically, we assessed content validity through expert evaluation, internal structure validity using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and reliability through internal consistency, ensuring that the adapted versions maintain their psychometric properties within this population.

Methods

The sample consisted of 312 adolescents (M = 15.7; SD = 1.12; 51.6 % males) from the 3rd to 5th years of secondary school in Tarapoto, Morales, and Santa Rosa de Cumbaza, within the San Martín Region. Initially, the questionnaire items were reviewed by expert judges, leading to modifications in four items (4, 22, 23, and 24) to enhance clarity and coherence.

Results

Factor analysis was conducted on two three-dimensional models and two brief one-dimensional models. The 11-item model demonstrated better fit indices compared to the original model, as did the brief 5-item model. Additionally, reliability between factors ranged from moderate to high.

Conclusion

The adapted three-factor model and the brief one-factor model exhibit satisfactory psychometric properties, making them suitable for assessing social media addiction among adolescents in the San Martín Region.