Psychometric Properties of the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale in Korean Young Adults

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) in Korean young adults. METHODS: A total of 401 Korean university students (mean age±SD, 21.9±1.8 years; female, 72.8%) participated in the study. They completed the Korean version of BSMAS, the Social Network Site Addiction Proneness Scale (SAPS), and the Social Network Site Use Motives Scale. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted in half-split samples to assess the construct validity of the BSMAS. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and convergent validity were examined. RESULTS: Both EFA and CFA supported a unidimensional model of the BSMAS. Indices of test-retest reliability at a 3-week interval (r=0.75) and internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha=0.86) of the BSMAS were acceptable and convergent validity between the BSMAS and the SAPS (r=0.86) was satisfactory. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the BSMAS is an effective tool for screening social network site (SNS) addiction in Korean young adults and is a psychometrically sound measure that can be used in future Korean research on SNS addiction.