Designing and Validating Persian Scale for Problematic Use of Digital Gaming in Male Adolescents of Tehran

Introduction: Conceptualizing Gaming Addiction and measuring it are among the most important psychological issues. Aim: This study was aimed at designing and validating gaming addiction scale in adolescents. Method: Research method was correlational. Six hundred and twenty-seven male gamers (15 - 17 years old) were selected using multi-step cluster sampling method from Ardebil, Sari, Kerman, Bushehr, Esfahan, Rasht and Kerman. “Digital gaming addiction scale” and “internet addiction test” (young, 1996) were administered. SPSS-24 and Amos-Graphics-18 were used for data analysis. Results: The sample was split into half randomly. Exploratory Factor Analysis on the first random sample (n=313) caused in 8 components explaining 58/64% of variance. The structure was validated using the rest of the sample via confirmatory factor analysis. The results showed good fit indices for second-order model (CFI=0/881, RMSEA=0/062, CMIN/DF=2/19, DF=426). Thirty-one out of 38 presumed items remained in final version. The final subscales include: negative consequences, self-control, tolerance, coping style, irritability, preoccupation, losing interest in other hobbies and flow. Meaningful correlation between subscales, convergent validity via average variance extracted (AVE=0/507) and divergent validity using Fornell and Larker table showed desirable indices. Meaningful correlations between total score of scale and internet addiction (r=0/697), academic performance (r=-0/202), daily internet use (r=0/278), daily game use (r=0/325) and initial age of using cyberspace (r=-0/171) showed desirable criterion and convergent validity. Composite reliability and Cronbach’s alpha were calculated 0/985 and 0/934 respectively. Conclusion. Digital gaming addiction scale is a reliable and valid tool for measuring game addiction in adolescents.