Psychometric validation of the Jordanian version of the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS)

Over the last two decades, there has been a steady increase in research on problematic social media use (PSMU) in several countries worldwide. However, Jordan lacks validated tools to assess PSMU. The Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) is the most extensively utilized assessment tool for Social Media Addiction (SMA). Therefore, this study aims to investigate the psychometric validation of a Jordanian version of BSMAS. In a cross-sectional study with 605 users (mean age = 21.7 years, SD = 8.5 years, 55.2% female), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and network analysis were employed. CFA validated the unidimensionality of the Jordanian version of the BSMAS. The reliability was good (Cronbach’s alpha α = 0.79, Omega Macdonald ω = 0.79, and test-retest reliability r = 0.78). The associations between PSMU, depression, anxiety, and stress suggest concurrent validity. The partial scalar invariance of the BSMAS across genders has been established. The t-test results indicated no significant differences in PSMU between men and women, nor between adolescents and adults. Network analysis findings indicated that mood modification and salience are the primary symptoms of PSMU among Jordanians. This study provides evidence that the Jordanian version of BSMAS is a psychometrically reliable tool that can be used in future research on the PSMU in Jordan.