Measuring Digital Game Addiction in Adolescents: Development and Psychometric Evaluation of a Theory-Based Scale

This study developed and psychometrically evaluated a theory-based Digital Game Addiction Scale (DGAS) for adolescents aged 14–18. The scale development process was based on Griffiths’ (2005) model of addiction components, the ICD-11 Gaming Disorder framework, and the developmental characteristics of adolescence. The study was conducted with a total of 898 adolescents across five independent samples. Following item development, expert review, and a pilot study, the structural validity of the resulting 23-item draft questionnaire was examined using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Principal Axis Factoring and parallel analysis supported a two-factor structure consisting of 16 items. Confirmatory factor analysis conducted on an independent sample revealed that the two-factor model with interrelated factors demonstrated a better fit than the one-factor model and that the model possessed acceptable fit indices (χ²/df = 2.740, RMSEA = .078, SRMR = .051, CFI = .95). The findings regarding convergent and discriminant validity were supported by AVE, CR, and HTMT values; in criterion-related validity analyses, it was determined that scale scores were weakly negatively correlated with self-esteem and strongly positively correlated with smartphone addiction. McDonald’s omega coefficients for the subscales were calculated as .86 and .88, and composite reliability coefficients as .88 and .89; in a three-week test-retest administration, an ICC of .87 was found. The findings provide evidence supporting the validity and reliability of DGAS scores among adolescents aged 14–18.