Development of the digital amnesia scale adult form-DAAF and examination of psychometric characteristics

Background Digital amnesia is examined here as self-reported reliance on digital resources for accessing, storing and recalling information, including perceived difficulty remembering without digital support. This operational definition does not imply a clinical diagnosis or technology-induced memory loss. Objective This study aimed to develop the Digital Amnesia Scale Adult Form (DAAF) and evaluate its initial psychometric properties in adult smartphone users. Methods This methodological study used online convenience recruitment and three independent samples (total n = 776). Content validity was assessed by nine experts. Sample A ( n = 330) supported exploratory factor and item analyses, Sample B ( n = 320) supported confirmatory factor and related validity analyses, and Sample C ( n = 126) supported three-week test–retest and external-validity analyses. Results The final scale contained 12 items in two factors, explaining 68.7% of the variance. CFA fit was acceptable (CFI = 0.973, TLI = 0.966, RMSEA = 0.063, SRMR = 0.038). Total-score alpha was 0.93, omega was 0.94 and test–retest ICC was 0.80. Positive associations with nomophobia and netlessphobia supported further construct investigation, although further evidence of distinctiveness from related constructs is needed. The DAAF offers an initial research measure of reported digital-memory reliance; convenience sampling and self-report limit broader interpretation.