Development and Validation of the TikTok Addiction Scale-Short Form (TTAS-SF)

OBJECTIVETo develop and validate a short version of the TikTok Addiction Scale, i.e. the TikTok Addiction Scale-Short Form (TTAS-SF). METHODConstruct validity of the TTAS-SF was assessed through corrected item-total correlations and confirmatory factor analysis. Concurrent validity was examined using the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4), and the Big Five Inventory-10 (BFI-10). Reliability was evaluated through multiple indices, including Cronbachs alpha, McDonalds omega, Cohens kappa, and the intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTSCorrected item-total correlations and confirmatory factor analysis confirmed that the final version of the TTAS-SF includes six items in one factor. Concurrent validity of the TTAS-SF was excellent since we found statistically significant correlations between the TTAS-SF and the BSMAS, the PHQ-4, and the BFI{square}10. Cronbachs alpha and McDonalds Omega for the TTAS-SF was 0.805 and 0.817, respectively. Cohens kappa for the six items ranged from 0.789 to 0.905 (p < 0.001 in all cases). Additionally, intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.993 (p < 0.001). Thus, the reliability of the TTAS-SF was excellent. The best cut-off point for the TTAS-SF was 13, indicating that TikTok users with TTAS-SF score [&ge;]13 were considered as users with a problematic TikTok use and high probability of addiction issues, and those with TTAS-SF score <13 as healthy users. CONCLUSIONSThe TTAS-SF is a one-factor 6-item scale with great reliability and validity. The TTAS-SF is a short and easy-to-use tool that measures levels of TikTok addiction in a couple of minutes. Valid measurement of TikTok addiction with brief and valid tools is essential to further understand predictors and consequences of this phenomenon.