YouTube addiction scale (YAS): Adaptation to Turkish culture, validity and reliability study

Authors

  • Erkan Dinç Anadolu University, Türkiye
  • Kamolthip Ruckwongpatr National Cheng Kung University, Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Taiwan
  • Aşkın Karaduman Anadolu University, Türkiye
  • I-Hua Chen Chinese Academy of Education Big Data, Qufu Normal University, China https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6999-6406
  • Ayşe Karaduman Ministry of National Education, Türkiye
  • Xue Lian Wang Krirk University, International College, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29329/jsomer.20

Keywords:

YouTube Addiction, Social Media Addiction, YouTube Addiction Scale, Scale Adaptation, Problematic Social Media Use

Abstract

In the current research, the YouTube Addiction Scale (YAS) developed by Pakpour et al. (2023) was adapted to Turkish culture, and the scale's psychometric properties were examined. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 779 Turkish adults (Mage = 25.16 years, 56% female). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to validate whether the original factor structure of the YAS was retained in the Turkish version. In addition, tests of internal consistency, concurrent validity with external criterion measures (Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale), and gender differences were analyzed. Jeffreys's Amazing Statistics Program (JASP) version 0.19.0 was used for CFA and internal consistency analyses, while IBM SPSS version 25.0 was employed for the remaining analyses. The Turkish version of the YAS consists of six items, indicating that the original unidimensional structure aligns well with Turkish culture. The Turkish version of the YAS indicates good psychometric properties for both internal and external validity. It shows acceptable levels of internal consistency and concurrent validity and can be used as a reliable tool to assess YouTube addiction in future studies

References

Acar, N. (2024). Sosyal medya bağımlılığı: Kökenleri, tanı kriterleri ve tedavi teknikleri. [ Social media addiction: Origins, diagnosis criteria and treatment techniques]. The Turkish Online Journal of Design Art and Communication, 14(4), 1099–1114. https://doi.org/10.7456/tojdac.1515522

Ağyar-Bakır, B., & Uzun, B. (2018). Developing the social media addiction scale: validity and reliability studies. Addicta: The Turkish Journal on Addictions, 5(3), 507‒525. http://dx.doi.org/10.15805/addicta.2018.5.3.0046

Ahorsu, D. K. (2024). Pathways to social media addiction: Examining its prevalence, and predictive factors among Ghanaian youths. Journal of Social Media Research, 1(1), 47–59. https://doi.org/10.29329/jsomer.9

Aksoy-Akbaş, S., & Gökbulut, B. (2023). Lise öğrencilerinin internet bağımlılığı, okula yabancılaşma ve mutluluk düzeyleri arasındaki ilişki. [The relationshıp among high school students' internet addiction, school alienation and happiness levels ]. Electronic Journal of Social Sciences, 22(87), 741-762. https://doi.org/10.17755/esosder.1200249

Andreassen, C. S. (2015). Online social network site addiction: A comprehensive review. Current Addiction Reports, 2(2), 175-184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-015-0056-9

Andreassen, C. S., Billieux, J., Griffiths, M. D., Kuss, D. J., Demetrovics, Z., Mazzoni, E., & Pallesen, S. (2016). The relationship between addictive use of social media and video games and symptoms of psychiatric disorders: A large-scale cross-sectional study. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 30(2), 252–262. https://doi.org/10.1037/adb0000160

Arıbaş, A. N., & Özşahin, F. (2022). İş yaşamında yalnızlığın çalışanların sosyal medya bağımlılığına etkisinin incelenmesi. [Investigation of the effect of loneliness in business life on social media addiction of employees]. Journal of Aksaray University Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, 14(1), 37-46. https://doi.org/10.52791/aksarayiibd.992255

Arslan, A. (2019). Determination of the digital addiction levels of students in high school according to various variables: Sivas province sample. Gazi Journal of Education Sciences, 5(2), 63–80. https://doi.org/10.30855/gjes.2019.05.02.004

Arslan, A., Kırık, A. M., Karaman, M., & Çetinkaya, A. (2015). Digital addiction in high school and university students. International Peer-Reviewed Journal of Communication and Humanities Research, 8, 34-58. https://doi.org/10.17361/UHIVE.2015813153

Ayaz, A., & Barış, A. B. (2024). Sosyal medya bağımlılığı: Üniversite öğrencileri üzerine bir inceleme. [Social media addiction: A study on university students]. International Journal of Anatolian Social Sciences, 8 (4), 1006-1025. https://doi.org/10.47525/ulasbid.1572348

Bağcı, H. (2019). Analyzing the digital addiction of university students through diverse variables: example of vocational school. International Journal of Contemporary Educational Research, 6(1), 100-109. https://doi.org/10.33200/ijcer.546326

Balakrishnan, J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2017). Social media addiction: What is the role of content in YouTube?. Journal of behavioral addictions, 6(3), 364–377. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.6.2017.058

Bhargava, V. R., & Velasquez, M. (2021). Ethics of the attention economy: The problem of social media addiction. Business Ethics Quarterly, 31(3), 321-359. https://doi.org/10.1017/beq.2020.32

Byrne, B. M. (2016). Structural equation modeling with Amos: Basic concepts, applications, and programming (3rd ed.). Routledge.

Chou, C., Condron, L., & Belland, J. C. (2005). A Review of the Research on Internet Addiction. Educational Psychology Review, 17(4),363-388. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-005-8138-1

Clark, R., & Moloney, G. (2017). Connections across the ages: Facebook use and self-determination theory. Frontiers in Psychology. Conference Abstract: Southern Cross University 14th Annual Honors Psychology Research Conference. https://doi.org/10.3389/conf.fpsyg.2017.72.00005

Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioural sciences (2nd ed.). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Çokkeser, Ş. P., & Kızıltan,G. (2023).The association between digital addiction and obesity in adolescents. Journal of Başkent University Faculty of Health Sciences, 8(3), 235-244. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/3676533

Çömlekçi, M. F., & Başol, O. (2019). Gençlerin sosyal medya kullanım amaçları ile sosyal medya bağımlılığı ilişkisinin incelenmesi, [Analysis of relationship between youths’ social media usage motives and social media addiction]. Celal Bayar University Journal of Social Sciences, 17(4), 173-188. https://doi.org/10.18026/cbayarsos.525652

Coşkuntürk, O. S., Kurcan, K., Yel, K., & Güzel, S. (2023). Teknolojik gelişmelerin hareketsiz yaşama ve çocuklarda psiko-motor gelişime etkileri. [The effects of technological developments on sedentary lifestyle and psychomotor development in children]. Dede Korkut Journal of Sport Sciences, 1(1), 48-59. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/3188857

Csibi, S., Griffiths, M. D., Cook, B., Demetrovics, Z., & Szabo, A. (2018). The psychometric properties of the smartphone application-based addiction scale (SABAS). International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 16(2), 393-403. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-017-9787-2

Deniz, L., & Gürültü, E. (2018). Social media addictions of high school students. Kastamonu Education Journal, 26 (2), 355-367. https://doi.org/10.24106/kefdergi.389780

Dhir, A., Yossatorn, Y., Kaur, P., & Chen, S. (2018). Online social media fatigue and psychological wellbeing- A study of compulsive use, fear of missing out, fatigue, anxiety and depression. International Journal of Information Management, 40, 141-152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2018.01.012

Durmaz, Ö. (2023). Investigation of the effect of digital addiction levels of primary school 4th grade students on their social skill levels. Master Thesis, Mersin University Institute of Educational Sciences. Mersin. https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/giris.jsp

Dynel, M. (2014). Participation framework underlying YouTube interaction. Journal of Pragmatics, 73, 37-52. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pragma.2014.04.001

Egger, O. R., & Rauterberg, O. M. (1996). Internet behaviour and addiction. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. Zurich. https://rauterberg.employee.id.tue.nl/ibq/report.pdf

Freeman, B., & Chapman, S. (2007). Is “YouTube” telling or selling you something? Tobacco content on the YouTube video-sharing website. Tobacco Control, 16(3), 207-210. https://doi.org/10.1136/tc.2007.020024

George, D., & Mallery, P. (2019). IBM SPSS statistics 26 step by step: A simple guide and reference (16th ed.). Routledge.

Griffiths, M. (2005). A ‘components’ model of addiction within a biopsychosocial framework. Journal of Substance Use, 10(4), 191–197. https://doi.org/10.1080/14659890500114359

Güldemir, E. (2023). An investigation of the relationship between pre-service teachers' levels of digital addiction and communication skills in terms of various variables. Master Thesis, Sivas Cumhuriyet University Institute of Educational Sciences, Sivas. https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/giris.jsp

Hambleton, R. K., & Patsula, L. (1998). Adapting Tests for use in multiple languages and cultures. Social Indicators Research 45, 153–171. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006941729637

Huang, P. C., Latner, J. D., O’Brien, K. S., Chang, Y. L., Hung, C. H., Chen, H. S., Lee, K. H., & Lin, C. Y. (2023). Associations between social media addiction, psychological distress, and food addiction among Taiwanese university students. Journal of Eating Disorders, 11(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-023-00769-0.

Huang, P. C., Geusens, F., Tu, H. F., Fung, X. C. C., & Chen, C. Y. (2024). Association between problematic social media use and physical activity: the mediating roles of nomophobia and the tendency to avoid physical activity. Journal of Social Media Research, 1(1), 14–24. https://doi.org/10.29329/jsomer.4

Işık, M. & Kaptangil, İ. (2018). Relation of smartphone addiction with social media usage and five factors personality trait: A research through university students. Journal of Human and Social Sciences Research, 7(2), 695-717. https://doi.org/10.15869/itobiad.361081

Kemp, S. (2024). Digital 2024: Global overview report. https://wearesocial.com/uk/blog/2024/04/digital-2024-april-global-statshot-report/

Khang, H., Kim, J. K., & Kim, Y. (2013). Self-traits and motivations as antecedents of digital media flow and addiction: The Internet, mobile phones, and video games. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(6), 2416-2424. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2013.05.027

Lin, C. Y., Broström, A., Nilsen, P., Griffiths, M. D., & Pakpour, A. H. (2017). Psychometric validation of the Persian Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale using classic test theory and Rasch models. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 6(4), 620-629. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.6.2017.071

Liu, T. Y., Ko, W. T., Griffiths, M. D., Pakpour, A. H., Üztemur, S., Ahorsu, D. K., ... & Lin, C. Y. (2024). The associations between levels of inattention/hyperactivity and social media addiction among young adults: The mediating role of emotional regulation strategies in self-blame and blaming others. Acta Psychologica, 251, 104338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104338

Longstreet, P., & Brooks, S. (2017). Life satisfaction: A key to managing internet & social media addiction. Technology in Society, 50, 73-77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2017.05.003

Malak, M. Z., Shuhaiber, A. H., Al-amer Rasmieh M., Abuadas, M. H., & Aburoomi, R. J. (2022). Correlation between psychological factors, academic performance and social media addiction: model-based testing. Behaviour & Information Technology, 41(8), 1583-1595. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2021.1891460

Nalwa, K., & Anand, A.P. (2003). Internet addiction in students: A cause of concern. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 6(6), 653–656. https://doi.org/10.1089/109493103322725441

Pakpour, A. H., Jafari, E., Zanjanchi, F., Potenza, M. N., & Lin, C. Y. (2023). The YouTube addiction scale: psychometric evidence for a new instrument developed based on the component model of addiction. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-023-01216-6

Pellegrino, A., Stasi, A., & Bhatiasevi, V. (2022). Research trends in social media addiction and problematic social media use: A bibliometric analysis. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1017506

Şahin, C., & Yağcı, M. (2017). Sosyal medya bağımlılığı ölçeği-yetişkin formu: Geçerlilik ve güvenirlik çalışması. [Social media addiction scale-adult form: The reliability and validity study]. Ahi Evran Üniversitesi Kırşehir Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 18(1), 523-538. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/kefad/issue/59268/851452

Sayan-Karahan, A. (2023). Davranışsal bağımlılıklara yönelik müdahalelere ilişkin bir derleme. [A review on interventions for behavioral addictions]. AYNA Klinik Psikoloji Dergisi, 10(3), 356-375. https://doi.org/10.31682/ayna.1152083

Seferoğlu, S. S. & Yıldız, H. (2013). Dijital çağın çocukları: İlköğretim öğrencilerinin facebook kullanımları ve internet bağımlılıkları üzerine bir araştırma. [Children of the Digital Age: A research on Facebook usage and internet addictions of primary school students]. Communication and Diplomacy, 2, 31-48. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/2154669

Şen-Karadağ, Ö. (2022). Youtuberların çocuk ve ergenler üzerinde yarattığı psikososyal risk faktörleri.[ Psychosocial risk factors affecting YouTubers’ children and adolescents]. Karabük Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi (UNIKA Toplum ve Bilim) Dergisi, 2(1), 33-46. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/4029859

Shaw, M., & Black, D. W. (2008). Internet addiction: definition, assessment, epidemiology and clinical management. CNS Drugs, 22(5), 353–365. https://doi.org/10.2165/00023210-200822050-00001

Şimşek, B., Hanayoğlu, T., & Bozdağ, B. (2023). Ortaöğretim öğrencilerinin dijital oyun bağımlılığı ve internet oyunları oynama bozukluğu düzeylerinin incelenmesi. [Examinatıon of digital game addiction and internet game playing disorder levels of secondary students]. Kilis 7 Aralık Üniversitesi Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 7(1), 16-27. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/2965258

Stirnberg, J., Margraf, J., Precht, L.-M., & Brailovskaia, J. (2024). Problematic smartphone use, depression symptoms, and fear of missing out: Can reasons for smartphone use mediate the relationship? A longitudinal approach. Journal of Social Media Research, 1(1), 3–13. https://doi.org/10.29329/jsomer.3

Sujarwoto, Saputri, R. A. M., & Yumarni, T. (2021). Social media addiction and mental health among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic in indonesia. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 21(1), 96-110. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11469-021-00582-3

Tanrıverdi, H. & Sağır, S. (2014). The effect of high school students' social networking purposes and their level of adopting social networks on student success. Adıyaman University Journal of Institute of Social Sciences, 18, 776-821. https://doi.org/10.14520/adyusbd.849

Türkiye İstatistik Kurumu (TÜİK) (2024). Statistics data portal. https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Search/Search?text=youtube

Tutgun-Ünal, A. (2015). Social media addiction: A Research on university students. Ph.D. Thesis. Marmara University Institute of Social Sciences. İstanbul. https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/giris.jsp

Uluç, G., & Yarcı, A. (2017). Sosyal medya kültürü.[ Culture of social media]. Dumlupınar University Journal of Social Sciences, 52, 88-102. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/304840

Weeks, B. E., & Holbert, R. L. (2013). Predicting dissemination of news content in social media: a focus on reception, friending, and partisanship. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 90(2), 212-232. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077699013482906

Yang, S. Y., Wang, Y. C., Lee, Y. C., Lin, Y. L., Hsieh, P. L., & Lin, P. H. (2022). Does smartphone addiction, social media addiction, and/or internet game addiction affect adolescents’ interpersonal interactions?. Healthcare, 10(5), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10050963

Yanık, A. & Özçiçek, S. (2021). Akıllı telefon bağımlılığında sosyal medya ve oyunların etkilerini anlamak. [Understanding the effects of social media and games in smartphone addiction]. Journal of International Folklore Studies, 4(7), 177-192. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/2057196

Yurdakul, K. H. (2022). Youtube kullanımının gençler üzerindeki negatif etkisi: Sosyal medya bağımlılığı [Negative effect of YouTube use on youth: Social media addiction]. Journal of Liberal Thought, 107, 167-190. https://doi.org/10.36484/liberal.1094619

Zeybekoğlu-Akbaş, Ö., & Dursun, C. (2020). Teknolojinin aileye etkisi: Değişen ailenin dijital ebeveyn ve çocukları [The impact of technology on the family: Digital parent and children of the changing family]. Turkish Studies-Social Sciences, 15(4), 2245-2265. http://dx.doi.org/10.29228/TurkishStudies.43395

Zinderen, İ. E. (2020). Yeni medyada kimlik inşası: Youtuber kimliğine ilişkin bir inceleme. [Identity building in new media: A review on YouTuber identity]. Journal of Erciyes Communication, 7(1), 415-434. https://doi.org/10.17680/erciyesiletisim.650956

Ziyadin, S., Doszhan, R., Borodin, A., Omarova, A., & Ilyas, A. (2019). The role of social media marketing in consumer behaviour. E3S Web of Conferences, 135,1-9, https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/201913504022

Published

02.03.2025

How to Cite

Dinç, E., Ruckwongpatr, K., Karaduman, A., Chen, I.-H., Karaduman, A., & Wang, X. L. (2025). YouTube addiction scale (YAS): Adaptation to Turkish culture, validity and reliability study. Journal of Social Media Research, 2(1), 13–23. https://doi.org/10.29329/jsomer.20

Issue

Section

Original (Research) Article