Validation of an original Behavioral Changes Scale on the Use of Digital Technologies During Social Distancing.

INTRODUCTION: The social distancing (SD) adopted during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has transformed the internet from a convenience into a necessity. The behavioral changes caused by isolation range from adaptation of consumption, work, and teaching routines to altered leisure options to occupy idle time at home. Such transformations can be positive, expanding use of digital technologies (DT), but they can also have serious future physical and emotional consequences if there conscious use of technological devices is lacking. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to validate the Behavioral Changes Scale on the Use of Digital Technologies During Social Distancing (BCSDTSD), an instrument for assessing behavioral changes related to use of DT during SD. METHOD: Validation of the BCSDTSD in five phases: 1. construction of an initial scale with 10 questions; 2. evaluation of the questions by a panel of experts; 3. application to 1,012 volunteers via the internet; 4. statistical analysis of the results; and 5. preparation of the validated final version of the BCSDTSD. Data were analyzed using the dplyr, psy , and paran packages and the REdaS statistical program. Three statistical criteria were used in the factor analysis (FA). RESULTS: FA confirmed that all 10 questions in the questionnaire should be maintained, confirming its robust construction, and Cronbach's alpha demonstrated its internal consistency with a value of 0.725, which is satisfactory for first-application questionnaires. CONCLUSION: The BCSDTSD instrument was validated for assessment of behavioral changes related to the use of DT during SD.

Validation of an original Behavioral Changes Scale on the Use of Digital Technologies During Social Distancing

Abstract Introduction The social distancing (SD) adopted during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has transformed the internet from a convenience into a necessity. The behavioral changes caused by isolation range from adaptation of consumption, work, and teaching routines to altered leisure options to occupy idle time at home. Such transformations can be positive, expanding use of digital technologies (DT), but they can also have serious future physical and emotional consequences if there conscious use of technological devices is lacking. Objectives The study aimed to validate the Behavioral Changes Scale on the Use of Digital Technologies During Social Distancing (BCSDTSD), an instrument for assessing behavioral changes related to use of DT during SD. Method Validation of the BCSDTSD in five phases: 1. construction of an initial scale with 10 questions; 2. evaluation of the questions by a panel of experts; 3. application to 1,012 volunteers via the internet; 4. statistical analysis of the results; and 5. preparation of the validated final version of the BCSDTSD. Data were analyzed using the dplyr, psy , and paran packages and the REdaS statistical program. Three statistical criteria were used in the factor analysis (FA). Results FA confirmed that all 10 questions in the questionnaire should be maintained, confirming its robust construction, and Cronbach's alpha demonstrated its internal consistency with a value of 0.725, which is satisfactory for first-application questionnaires. Conclusion The BCSDTSD instrument was validated for assessment of behavioral changes related to the use of DT during SD.

Smartphone use by health professionals: A review.

INTRODUCTION: On the world stage unlimited internet access by smartphones have made in social, cultural and economic relations, has transformed the world to be faster and more efficient. In this context, health care requires more attention. Health professionals must be concerned about the majority of the patient's care on the use of smartphone's in this process. Smartphones can be cause distractions and cause poor patient care. Behavioral and psychological changes related to abusive and uncontrolled use in this population may create severe impacts not only on the user's life but also on the community health care. METHOD: A careful research was performed through PubMed, Web of Science and Psycho Info databases using the terms: "Smartphone addiction", "Smartphone dependence", "Smartphone abuse", "physicians", "nurses" and ''health professionals". The search covered the past 5 years up to August 2019. Articles that examine abusive use on smartphones in health professionals were included. We analyzed how this concept evolved over the last five years and hope to contribute to the better understanding of the issue and its impacts on this population and on the health care. RESULTS: There is a lack of specific trial instruments on screening of smartphone addiction or abusive use, tending to adopt different diagnostic criteria by the reports included. There are also a lack of studies discussing etiology of this compulsive behavior. Although known risks, published reports show there is no consciousness of abusive use and possible damages in healthcare by some health professionals. Instead, there are others that can affirm there are unpredictable risks in patient care and tend to stimulate conscience use politics in health settings. Most of them point out smartphone's app benefits. CONCLUSION: Smartphones and its functionalities became part of everyone's life by the various benefits guaranteed. However, an addictive behavior can cause damage, principally in the Health Care setting and health professional's abusive use must be monitored. Further investigation is needed to determine the motivations of this addictive behavior and if abusive smartphone usage is a new psychiatric classification or merely the substrate of other disorders.

Validation of a scale to evaluate the abusive use of technologies (Computer, cell phone, tablet, among others)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Daily, prolonged interactivity of individuals with technologies (computer, cell phone, tablet, among others) impacts life and significantly changes habits, behaviors, personal and social relationships. Technologies lead to a multitude of advantages, but attention is required concerning possible damages. OBJECTIVE: Validation of a scale to evaluate the abuse use of technologies (TAUS). METHOD: TAUS validation was carried out in 5 phases: (1) initial scale construction with 20 questions, (2) expert evaluation, (3) application to 200 volunteers, (4) statistical analysis and results, (5) preparation of the final version of the validated TAUS. We used the R statistical program and the "dplyr" package version 3.4.2 to present descriptive statistics, to test hypotheses of means differences and for factorial analysis. Factor analysis was used for the orthogonal model. The method used was Principal Components based on Spearman's correlation matrix. RESULTS: The results provided a final, validated version of a TAUS suitable for clinical and research contexts. The last step of the study was to calculate Cronbach's alpha, in order to measure the internal consistency of the scale. The value found was 0.910, which is considered good. CONCLUSIONS: This Technology Abuse Scale may contribute to future studies, to the conscious use of technologies, to a reduction of physical and emotional damage and to an improvement of the subjects' quality of life.

Validation of a scale to evaluate Digital Dependence of Employees

BACKGROUND: The evolution of technologies and mobility, new digital resources have emerged transforming human behavior. These include the abusive use of digital devices, leading to various dependences regarding the way people use technology. Collective environments also begin to exhibit symptoms of such dependences. OBJECTIVE: Validate a Digital Dependence of Employees Scale (DDES), applied to personnel not holding leadership positions in organizations. METHOD: Data were collected via Internet. The sample totaled 301 volunteers from a state-owned company, of which 294 were statistically validated. Participants were asked to answer 20 questions prepared by experts. After the collection procedure, a database was created for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Statistical analysis procedure including factorial analysis was conducted, which confirmed data adequacy. Three statistical criteria were used: Bartlett Sphericity test, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin Criterion and Factorial analysis, including Screeplot; the latter determined adequate commonalities, indicating the cancellation of only 1 out of the 20 original scale questions. The internal consistency of the scale measured through the Cronbach Alpha Coefficient showed a positive result of 0.764. Thus, scale validation objectives were achieved. CONCLUSION: The DDES scale was considered validated to be applied to employees in organizational environments. The limitations found to apply the scale did not compromise its results.

Validation of a scale to assess Facebook dependence

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Facebook is a social network that has become part of the everyday life of contemporary humanity and is notably the most accessed digital tool, worldwide; through it, one can simultaneously relate to millions of people, as a source of information, communication or entertainment. OBJECTIVE: To produce and validate a scale to evaluate Facebook dependence (FDS). METHOD: Validation was performed in 5 phases: 1- initial scale construction with 20 questions, 2- expert evaluation, 3- application in 200 volunteers, 4- statistical analysis and results, and 5- elaboration of the final 18-question validated version of FDS. RESULTS: We obtained a descriptive statistical analysis, a clear-cut separation of dependents vs. non-dependents and a successful factorial analysis. These results provided a validated version of FDS. CONCLUSIONS: We were able to construct the validated final version of FDS with 18 questions appropriate to the clinical contexts and to be used in conducting research on Facebook dependence. This scale will contribute to future research related to this specific digital dependence, hopefully reducing harmful effects and improving quality of life.

Validation of the Cell Phone Dependence Scale

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The boundary between cellphone use and abuse is quite tenuous. Research is required to evaluate the use of this device interacting in the everyday life of users, whether to speak or to perform tasks. OBJECTIVE: To construct a novel and specific scale to evaluate cellphone dependence checking its psychometric properties for clarity, accuracy and reliability. METHODS: Validation of a Cellphone Dependence Scale (CPDS) was performed in 5 phases: 1- initial scale construction with 20 questions, 2- expert evaluation, 3- application to 200 volunteers, 4- statistical analysis and results, and 5- elaboration of the final version of the CPDS. RESULTS: We used the R statistical program Version 3.4.2 and the "dplyr" package to present the descriptive statistics, the hypotheses tests of differences of means and the factorial analysis. The results provided a validated and accepted final version for CPDS. The last step of the study was to calculate Cronbach's alpha, in order to measure the internal consistency of the questionnaire. The value found was 0.897, which is considered very good. CONCLUSIONS: This project resulted in the construction of the final CPDS version suitable for the clinical context and to be used in the conduct of research on cellphone dependence. CPDS may contribute to future studies, conscious use of cellphones, harm reduction, and improved quality of life vis-à-vis the cellphone.

Validation of the scale for assessing depression and its relation to technology dependence

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The daily coexistence with the technologies (computer, mobile phone, tablet, among others), begins to produce significant changes in human behavior. We have observed that there is an association between dependence on technologies and major depressive disorder, as well as with other mental disorders. OBJECTIVE: To validate a scale for assessing depression and its relation to dependence on everyday technologies. METHODS: Validation of a Technology Dependent Depression Scale (TDDS) was performed in 5 phases: (1) initial scale construction with 20 questions; (2) expert evaluation; (3) application to 100 volunteers, (4) statistical analysis and results, (5) preparation of the final version of the validated TDDS. RESULTS: We used the R statistical program, version 3.4.2 and the "dplyr" package to present descriptive statistics, hypotheses tests of mean differences and factorial analysis. The results provided a validated and approved final version for TDDS. CONCLUSIONS: We constructed the final version of the validated TDDS, which is adequate for clinical contexts and to be used in future research. All the psychometric properties were checked for accuracy, reliability, presentation, clarity, pertinence and comprehension of the instrument conferring validity to the end-product.

Scale to Assess Leaders' Perceptions about their Workers' Digital Addiction.

BACKGROUND: With the evolution of technologies and the mobility factor, new digital devices have emerged, influencing human behavior and provoking diverse dependencies due to their abusive use. Collective environments begin to exhibit the symptoms of such dependencies, compromising people's quality of life (QOL). The objective of the present study was to validate the scale to evaluate the perception of leaders on digital employee addiction (EPLDDE) initially with 17 questions. METHODS: The scale was constructed with real situations of digital addiction and through the evaluation of the semantic comprehension and consistency of the items by judges until final formatting of the instrument. Data collection was done via the internet. The sample consisted of 312 volunteers from a federal state-owned company. After data collection, a database was created for statistical analysis. Statistical program R was used. FINDINGS: Bartlett's and Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) tests confirmed adequacy for factorial analysis. Three statistical criteria were used, and scree plot presented adequate commonalities indicating 5 factors and the withdrawal of 3 questions from the scale. In the second AF, results ratified 14 questions. Cronbach's alpha showed a positive result of 0.8131717. CONCLUSION: The 14-item EPLDDE scale was validated for the evaluation of the perception of leaders regarding digital dependence of employees in organizations. This scale can contribute to studies on organizational QOL. The limitations found did not compromise the results.