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Smartphone Distraction: Italian Validation of the Smartphone Distraction Scale (SDS)
Maria Lidia Mascia1, Mirian Agus1, Łukasz Tomczyk2
1Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy.
Summary
The Smartphone Distraction Scale (SDS) is validated for Italian adults, confirming its reliability and usefulness in assessing cognitive distraction from smartphone use. This tool aids research into problematic phone behaviors and cognitive failures.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Smartphone use is prevalent in adult populations.
- Assessing cognitive distraction from smartphones is crucial for understanding user behavior.
- Existing scales may lack validation in specific cultural contexts, such as Italy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate the Smartphone Distraction Scale (SDS) for use in the Italian adult population.
- To assess the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the SDS.
- To confirm the factorial structure and reliability of the scale.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study with 609 Italian adults.
- Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) for factorial structure assessment.
- Cronbach's alpha for reliability, and correlation with MPPUS and CFQ for construct validity.
Main Results:
- The four-factor structure (attention impulsiveness, online vigilance, multitasking, emotion regulation) was confirmed.
- Reliability coefficients (Cronbach's alpha) ranged from 0.703 to 0.889.
- Significant correlations were found with problematic phone use and cognitive failures questionnaires.
- Age groups showed significant differences in distraction means.
Conclusions:
- The Italian version of the Smartphone Distraction Scale demonstrates good psychometric properties.
- The SDS is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing smartphone-related cognitive distraction in Italian adults.
- This validated scale can be applied in future Italian research on smartphone use and its cognitive impacts.
