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Development and evaluation of the Motivation to Limit Screen-time Questionnaire (MLSQ) for adolescents
D R Lubans1, C Lonsdale, R C Plotnikoff
1Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Education, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to design and evaluate a brief scale to assess adolescents' motivation to limit their screen-time using a self-determination theory (SDT) framework.
Methods:
The development and evaluation of the Motivation to Limit Screen-time Questionnaire (MLSQ) involved three phases. In Phase 1, experts in SDT were asked to review the content validity of the MLSQ items. In Phase 2, adolescent boys (N=342, mean age=12.7 ±.5 years) completed the MLSQ and the factorial validity of the model was explored. In Phase 3, adolescent boys (N=48, mean age=14.3 ± 1.3 years) completed the MLSQ on two occasions separated by 1-week. Phases 2 and 3 were conducted in New South Wales, Australia in 2012.
Results:
Twenty four SDT experts reviewed the original scale items. Validity coefficients associated with six of the original eight items exceeded the threshold value (V>.68, p<.01). In Phase 2, the revised three-factor (9-items) model provided a good fit to the data (SRMR=.07, CFI=.96). The intraclass correlation (ICC) values were .67 for amotivation and .70 and .82 for controlled and autonomous motivation, respectively.
Conclusion:
This study has provided preliminary evidence for the validity and reliability of the MLSQ in adolescent boys.
