Psychometric Evaluation of the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale: One- or Two-Factor Solution?

The objective of this study was to explore the psychometric properties of the French version of the Bergen Facebook addiction scale (BFAS) and to compare a one- and two-factors models. A sample of 687 students (Mage = 20.28;SD = 3.74; min = 17; max = 57) with 17.5% of male and 82.5% of women completed the study. Participants completed online the French version of the BFAS, as well as questionnaires assessing the intensity, frequency of Facebook use, and emotional engagement with Facebook and emotional symptom s (depression and anxiety). In order to assess test–retest reliability, a sub-sample of 183 participants completed all questionnaires again 6 months later. Factorial analyses suggested that both the one- and the two-factor models fit the data well. Concurrent validity was supported. A good interna l consistency and a high correlation index between the two waves have been displayed. We suggest that more research should explore the two-factor model of addiction, with larger samples, due to the risk of overestimation of people with problematic Facebook use.
Source: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction - Category: Addiction Source Type: research