Psychometric properties of the smartphone distraction scale in arabic among lebanese young adults

Abstract

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to validate the Arabic version of the 16-item Smartphone Distraction Scale (SDS) in a community sample of native Arabic-speaking young adults in Lebanon. Methods A sample of 397 participants completed the survey (mean age = 22.22 ± 3.86 years; 63.2% female). The survey consisted of multiple sections, including the Smartphone Distraction Scale, the Insomnia Severity Index, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Results The scale showed excellent internal reliability (ω = .93 and α = .93). Additionally, measurement invariance was assessed at the configural, metric, and scalar levels proving invariance across sexes. Finally, higher SDS scores were significantly associated with higher levels of nomophobia (r(397) = .68; p < .001), depression (r(397) = .43; p < .001), anxiety (r(397) = .36; p < .001) and insomnia (r(397) = .42; p < .001), supporting concurrent validity. Conclusions Future research should examine the scale in other Arab countries to further explore smartphone distraction and its potential consequences.