Objective: Despite the fact that the mobile phone has become a pervasive technology of our time, little research has been done on mobile dependency. A valid and reliable assessment instrument corresponding to the Persian culture is essential. This study aimed to describe the construction and validation of the Persian version of TMD (Test of Mobile phone Dependency) to assess the addictive use of mobile phone.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, for which data were collected from 350 students who were studying at Tehran universities. Sampling method was quota sampling. The participants anonymously completed the demographic questionnaire, and CPDQ as a valid questionnaire and gold standard. Finally, clinical interview [based on DSM-IV-TR] was performed. To analyze the data, concurrent validity, factor analysis, internal consistency (Cronbachα), split half; test-retest and ROC Curve by SPSS18 Software were used.
Results: As a result of the reliability analysis and factor analysis by principal component and Varimax rotation, three factors (“salient”, “preoccupation” and “Spend a lot of time and money”) for both male and female participants were extracted. Internal consistency (Cronbachʹs alpha) of the CPDQ was .92 (Cronbach alpha of the factors is .88, .82, and .84, respectively). The test-retest correlation of the TMD was .56.The best cut off point for this questionnaire (TMD) is 38.
Conclusion: The TMD proved to have an acceptable internal consistency with adequate factor models to assess the extent of problems caused by the "misuse" of the mobile phone in the Iranian society. Therefore, it can be concluded that the Persian version of the test was reliable and valid; however, further analysis is needed.