ASSESSING THE VALIDITY OF A SINGLE-ITEM MEASURE FOR PROBLEMATIC INTERNET USE IN ADULTS: EVIDENCE FROM SAUDI ARABIA
Date
2026-05-12
Authors
Juliann Saquib
Mohamed Ghaith Al Abdin
Mohamad Ayham Muqresh
Idris Sula
Fathin Ahamed Lebbe
Mansour Alsoghair
Abdulrahman Almazrou
Nazmus Saquib
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Deanship of Scientific Research - Al-Quds University
Abstract
Background: Internet addiction (IA) is a universal health problem that is linked with a negative impact on mental, physical, and social health, especially among the young population. The prevalence of IA is accelerating dramatically in Saudi Arabia; this surge contributed to an alarming rise in IA, particularly among adolescents.
This study aims to determine the prevalence of IA among adults from four different cities in Saudi Arabia and to investigate the validity of a single-item self-rating measure against Young’s Internet Addiction Test (IAT). Moreover, to assess the association between the IA and mental, physical, and social health.
Methods: A cross-sectional study of 1429 adult participants was conducted in four cities of Saudi Arabia (Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Buraidah) to assess internet use, lifestyle, and self-reported health by using a validated questionnaire. IA was measured using both single-item self-rating and the validated Young’s IAT scale. The study was conducted via online interviews with the participants by the senior students of Sulaiman AlRajhi University. A univariate logistic regression identified the significantly associated factors.