Turkish Adaptation and Validation of the Short Smartphone Stress Scale for Adolescents

This study aimed to adapt the Short Smartphone Stress Scale (SSSS), which was developed by Huang et al. (2022), into Turkish and examine its psychometric properties among adolescents. The SSSS is a four-point Likert-type scale, consisting of nine items. With the increasing prevalence of smartphone use in youth populations, there is a growing need for culturally validated tools that can assess the psychological stress associated with digital engagement. The sample consisted of 297 secondary and high school students aged between 14 and 17, who completed the Turkish version of the SSSS along with measures of depression and subjective well-being. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported the original single-factor structure of the SSSS, with acceptable fit indices (χ²(25) = 53.77, χ²/df = 2.15, p < .001, GFI = .98, SRMR = .07, RMSEA = .06, AGFI = .93, and CFI = .95). All item loadings were statistically significant, ranging from .34 to .61. The internal consistency of the scale was adequate (Cronbach’s alpha = .72). Convergent validity of the Turkish SSSS was supported by significant positive correlation with depression and negative correlation with subjective well-being. The findings of the study suggest that the SSSS Turkish form is a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating smartphone-related stress in adolescents. Given its brevity and clarity, the scale can be used effectively in school-based mental health screenings, psychological research, and digital well-being interventions. The study contributes to the growing literature on adolescent digital stress by providing a culturally relevant measurement tool suitable for the Turkish context.