Facebook addiction and sleep problems in peruvian university students after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, studies have reported an increase in sleep problems and problematic use of social media platforms such as Facebook among university students. This study assessed Facebook addiction and sleep problems among Peruvian university students following the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the factors associated with these issues. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 352 participants from different regions of Peru. The Jenkins Sleep Scale (JSS-4) and the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale (BFAS) were used to assess sleep problems and Facebook addiction, respectively. Prevalence ratios (PR) were calculated using a simple Poisson regression with robust variance. Results: The study found that 16.2 % of the participants were addicted to Facebook and 12.5 % reported sleep problems. The results also showed that older age (PR: 0.99; 95 % CI: 0.98-0.99) and physical activity (PR: 0.81; 95 % CI: 0.70-0.94) were associated with a lower likelihood of having sleep problems, while being physically active (PR: 0.55; 95 % CI: 0.33 to 0.90) was associated with a lower probability of having Facebook addiction problems. Conclusions: The Peruvian university students who participated in this study reported sleep problems in one-eighth of the sample, and one in six university students reported Facebook addiction problems. The frequency of presenting Facebook addiction and sleep problems was lower in those with older age and engaging in physical activity.

The link between Facebook addiction and depression among university students: Evidence from a lower-middle income country.

Background and Aims: Among all the social media, Facebook is the most popular social networking site among students. That raises a chance of excessive Facebook usage being a form of addiction to hamper students' mental health. The primary goal of this study was to find the association of Facebook addiction with the depression level of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Four hundred ten university students from Bangladesh were selected randomly as samples for this investigation. In this study, the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale and nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire were used to assess the level of Facebook Addiction and depression status of the students, respectively. Ordered probit models were employed to identify the connection between Facebook addiction and depression. Ordinary least square models were utilized further to check the robustness of the findings. Results: Ordered probit results confirm that Facebook addiction increases the likelihood of having heightened depression among university students. Besides, sex, household income, and history of being infected by COVID-19 also appeared to be correlated with the depression level of the students. Conclusion: Creating opportunities for students to participate in more physically demanding outdoor activities should be prioritized as it could ultimately enhance their capacity to mitigate depression. Appropriate measures must be taken to increase the number of recreational facilities on the campus for students, considering their age, gender, and preferences.

Facebook Addiction and High School Students' Sleep Quality: The Serial Mediation of Procrastination and Life Satisfaction and the Moderation of Self-Compassion.

A growing body of research has indicated that Facebook addiction is a salient risk factor for sleep quality among high school students. This study examined whether procrastination and life satisfaction serially mediate the relationship between Facebook addiction and sleep quality and whether this mediating process is moderated by self-compassion. This research uses quantitative research approach to examine Facebook addiction, procrastination, life satisfaction, sleep quality, and self-compassion, in the sample of 280 Vietnamese high school students (Mage = 16.75 years, SD = .0825). Facebook addiction was not significantly associated with sleep quality among high school students. The serial mediator role of procrastination and life satisfaction on the pathway from Facebook addiction to sleep quality was not significant. Moderated mediation analysis further revealed that self-compassion moderated the association between Facebook addiction and high school students' sleep quality. These findings elucidate the role of Facebook addiction, procrastination, and self-compassion in high school students' sleep quality. Furthermore, they suggest that self-compassion intervention programs may be promising to reduce procrastination, Facebook addiction, as well as to enhance sleep quality and life satisfaction for high school students.

Association between Facebook Addiction, Depression, and Emotional Regulation among Women.

Facebook has grown to be one of the most widely used communication platforms. A new condition linked with widespread use has emerged with its expanding popularity: Facebook addiction. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was used in the current study, in two randomly selected villages (Elmanial and Batra) and one town (Talkha city) affiliated with Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. Data were collected from women only through using a self-administered socio-demographic questionnaire, Facebook addiction scale, Beck depression inventory-II, and emotional regulation scale. The study found 83.7% of the studied women reported moderate emotional regulation; 27.9% had moderate Facebook addiction, and 23.9% reported mild depression. The study concluded there was a significant negative correlation between Facebook addiction and emotional regulation.

Nomophobia among university students: Prevalence, correlates, and the mediating role of smartphone use between Facebook addiction and nomophobia.

Nomophobia ('no mobile phone phobia') has been growing issue worldwide in recent years and has been associated with a number of psychological and behavioral health-related problems. However, few studies have examined nomophobia in Bangladesh. Therefore, the severity and correlates of nomophobia, and the mediating role of smartphone use between Facebook addiction and nomophobia was investigated. A cross-sectional study utilizing 585 university students was conducted employing a convenience sampling method. Data were collected using a survey in March 2022. The survey comprised questions related to socio-demographics, behavioral health, academic performance, nomophobia, smartphone addiction, Facebook addiction, insomnia, and depression. The mean score of nomophobia was 88.55 out of 140 (±21.71). The prevalence was 9.4% for mild nomophobia, 56.1% for moderate nomophobia, and 34.5% for severe nomophobia. First-year students had higher levels of nomophobia than other years. Significant predictors for nomophobia included daily duration of smartphone time, psychoactive substance use, and being in a relationship. Nomophobia was significantly associated with smartphone addiction, Facebook addiction, insomnia, and depression. Moreover, smartphone addiction significantly mediated the relationship between Facebook addiction and nomophobia. Strategies that help reduce daily smartphone time, and reduce psychoactive substance use might help reduce nomophobia prevalence among university students.

The relationship between technology addictions and schizotypal traits: mediating roles of depression, anxiety, and stress.

BACKGROUND: The way how technology addiction relates to psychosis remains inconclusive and uncertain. The present study aimed to test the hypothesis of a mediating role of depression, anxiety and stress in the association between three technology (behavioral) addictions (i.e., Addiction to the Internet, smartphones and Facebook) and psychosis proneness as estimated through schizotypal traits in emerging adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed among non-clinical Tunisian university students (67.6% females, mean age of 21.5 ± 2.5 years) using a paper-and-pencil self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Results for the Pearson correlation revealed that higher smartphone, Internet, and Facebook addictions' scores were significantly and positively correlated with each of the depression, anxiety and stress subscores; whereas depression (r = 0.474), anxiety (r = 0.499) and stress (r = 0.461) scores were positively correlated with higher schizotypal traits. The results of the mediation analysis found a significant mediating effect for depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms on the cross-sectional relationship between each facet of the TA and schizotypal traits. CONCLUSION: Our findings preliminarily suggest that an addictive use of smartphones, Internet and Facebook may act as a stressor that exacerbates psychosis proneness directly or indirectly through distress. Although future longitudinal research is needed to determine causality, we draw attention to the possibility that treating psychological distress may constitute an effective target of interventions to prevent psychosis in adolescents with technology addictions.

Facebook Addiction Partially Mediated the Association Between Stress Symptoms and Sleep Disturbance Among Facebook Users.

Stress symptoms, Facebook addiction, and sleep disturbances have important effects on the health of every individual. However, very few studies have examined the association between stress symptoms, Facebook addiction, and sleep disturbances. This study investigated the mediating effect of Facebook addiction on the association between stress symptoms and sleep disturbances among Facebook users in Vietnam. Three hundred fifty-four Facebook users in Vietnam have completed measures to assess symptoms of stress, levels of Facebook addiction, and sleep disturbances. In the sample, stress was positively associated with sleep disturbances and Facebook addiction partially mediated the association between stress and sleep disturbance (stress was positively associated with Facebook addiction and Facebook addiction was positively associated with sleep disturbances). Thus, our findings demonstrate that stressful individuals tend to be addicted to Facebook, which increase the risk of sleep disturbances. Therefore, interventions aimed at improving sleep quality for Facebook users should focus on reducing stress and reducing dependence on Facebook.

The Relationship between Personality Traits and Facebook Addiction among Adolescents in an Urban, Rural and Semi-Rural Secondary School.

Facebook is and was intended to provide a place for friends to connect within the bustling academic environment and to encourage openness for ideas and interests. When used sparingly, it can provide an individual with a sense of group belonging and connection, sharing and offering hope and advice. The misuse of Facebook can have detrimental effects on one's quality of life that often lead to addiction. In this correlation design study, secondary-school-aged adolescents' Facebook addiction was compared to personality attributes. Through a convenience sample, 240 teenagers in total (106 men and 134 females) were chosen. The respondents answered questions about their demographics, Facebook Addiction, and Junior Eysenck Personality. The findings showed a substantial inverse correlation between Facebook addiction and neuroticism (r = -0.260, p < 0.01) and psychoticism (r = -0.189, p < 0.01). There was no discernible statistical link between Facebook Addiction and Extraversion. The study comes to the conclusion that although social networking sites such as Facebook have good effects on adolescents' lives, their use needs to be regulated, the risks were highlighted, and at-risk individuals can receive intervention approaches, such as social skills training.

Relationship between personality traits and facebook addiction: A meta-analysis.

Personality traits are important factors in determining online behaviors. Especially personality traits are linked with users' behavior on Facebook. Despite the substantial quantity of studies conducted on the relationship between personality factors and Facebook addiction, researchers have yet to reach an agreement. This study sought to examine the relationship between personality traits and Facebook addiction. In this meta-analysis study, agreeableness, openness to experience and conscientiousness were negatively related to Facebook addiction. Loneliness, narcissism, impulsivity and shyness were significantly correlated with Facebook addiction. Meta analysis also found that geographical location, personality scales, Facebook addiction scales, publication status moderated the link between personality variables and Facebook addiction. The limitations and future directions are discussed.

Measuring Immersion, Involvement, and Attention Focusing Tendencies in the Mediated Environment: The Applicability of the Immersive Tendencies Questionnaire.

This study explores the personal predispositions and dependencies while individuals use digital media and communication devices and analyses the statistical features of the Immersive Tendencies Questionnaire (ITQ) that is popular in assessing the personality trait-dependent reaction to mediated environments. The study evaluated 781 healthy graduates and postgraduates, of which 192 were men (average age: 28.6 years) and 589 were women (average age: 28.4 years). We applied several questionnaires to measure immersive tendencies in a mediated environment, adaptive and maladaptive personality predispositions, and problematic Internet use and Facebook addiction scales. We analyze the statistical features of the long and short forms of the Immersive Tendencies Questionnaire. The data obtained support the reliable usage of the short form of the instrument. The factor structure of the questionnaire presents dual facets. First, it indicates an absorptive and immersive tendency in any case of maladaptive tendencies. Second, it reflects an intensive capability to focus on the mediated environment with adequate cognitive control to avoid any contingency of being addicted. The short form of the ITQ is reliable and adequate to assess the relationship between the self-referred and environment-dependent psychological functions.

Facebook use and its predictive factors among students: Evidence from a lower- and middle-income country, Bangladesh.

Background: Facebook is a popular social networking site in the modern world. It has an adverse effect such as impairing daily health and psychological health and also interpersonal relationships when the use becomes problematic. Aims: To examine problematic Facebook use (PFU) and its predictors among Bangladeshi students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 601 Bangladeshi students and collected data related to socio-demographic information, behavioral health, internet use behavior, depression, anxiety and problematic Facebook use [assessed using the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale (BFAS)]. The data were analyzed using descriptive (frequencies and percentages) and inferential statistics (independent sample t-tests, one-way ANOVAs, correlations, and multivariable linear regression). Results: The results indicated that 29.1% of participants were problematic Facebook users (using cutoff ≥18 out of 30). Medical college students had higher mean score on PFU than other students (p < 0.001). In addition, the mean score of PFU was significantly higher among the students who were in a relationship (p = 0.001), did not engage in physical activity (p < 0.001), used the internet more than 5 h per day (p < 0.001), used social media (p < 0.001), and had depression or anxiety symptoms (p < 0.001). PFU was significantly associated with depression and anxiety among the whole sample. Predictive factors for PFU included relationship status, daily internet use time, gaming, social media use, depression, and anxiety. The model predicted almost 33.2% variance for PFU. Conclusions: Findings suggest interventions should be implemented for students with a special focus on medical students who had higher score of PFU than other types of students.

An exploratory analysis of the relationship of problematic Facebook use with loneliness and self-esteem: the mediating roles of extraversion and self-presentation.

Studies indicate that loneliness and self-esteem are predictive factors of problematic social media use. Further, it is proposed that self-presentation and extraversion may explain individual differences in online activity and problematic social media use. The present study confirms the relationship of loneliness and self-esteem with problematic Facebook use and investigates the hypothesis that these psychological factors may be linked to problematic Facebook use through their association with self-presentation and extraversion. The sample of university students consisted of 477 Facebook users, 64% females, aged 18-64. Social media usage intensity was assessed by collecting passive data on the total time spent and the number of sessions on Facebook per day for the last 6 months. The psychological factors, personality, motives and problematic Facebook use were assessed via self-report measures. Results showed that the relationship of loneliness and self-esteem with problematic Facebook use was significantly positive and negative respectively. The relationship between self-esteem and problematic Facebook use was found to be inconsistently mediated by both self-presentation and extraversion, while loneliness was partially mediated by self-presentation only. The total effect of loneliness and self-esteem remained positive and negative respectively, although extraversion and self-presentation had a suppressing effect on the relationship between self-esteem and problematic Facebook use. Further, the prevalence of 'at-risk' Facebook users was found to be 6.0%. It was also determined that the usage intensity of 'at-risk' users was significantly different from other Facebook users. These results highlight the existence of different patterns of associations linking psychological factors, usage intensity and problematic Facebook use. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-022-03505-0.

The Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale: its psychometric properties and invariance among women with eating disorders.

OBJECTIVE: Facebook addiction is increasing, giving rise to limited real-life social networks, loneliness, poor work and academic performance, psychopathology, and low well-being. Facebook entails numerous factors that increase the risk for disordered eating attitudes and behaviors (e.g., use time and Facebook activities such as social grooming and photo sharing). This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale (BFAS) among patients with eating disorders (EDs) given lack of validation of Facebook addiction measures in this population. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 123 inpatient and outpatient women with EDs (Mean age = 27.3, SD = 10.6, range = 14-59 years) used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), multigroup CFA, structural equation modeling (SEM), Spearman's rho Spearman's analysis, McDonald's Omega (ω), Cronbach's alpha (α), and item-total correlations to examine the structure, invariance, criterion validity, reliability, and discriminant validity of the BFAS. RESULTS: Correlating the residuals of items 2, 3, and 5 resulted in an excellent fit of a one-factor structure of the BFAS (χ2(7) = 8.515, p = .289, CFI = .998, TLI = .996, RMSEA = .042, SRMR = .0099). The BFAS was invariant at the configural, metric, and scalar levels across groups of EDs, age, education, and marital status. High values of ω and α (.96) as well as item-total correlations (.851-.929) indicated excellent reliability and high discrimination index of the BFAS.  Criterion validity is noted by strong positive correlation with the Six-item Internet Addiction Test (S-IAT, r = .88) and SEM using the S-IAT to predict the BFAS (χ2(49) = 103.701, p = .001, CFI = .975, TLI = .966, RMSEA = .096, SRMR = .0317).. CONCLUSION: The BFAS is a reliable unidimensional measure. Its high discrimination index and invariance across different groups make it useful for detecting Facebook addiction among patients with ED.

Needs affordance as a key factor in likelihood of problematic social media use: Validation, latent Profile analysis and comparison of TikTok and Facebook problematic use measures.

Despite increasing concerns of maladaptive cognitive responses associated with social media, estimates of its prevalence are lacking in the literature. Further, existing studies have disproportionately focused on Facebook, while ignoring the penetration of TikTok and concerns of associated maladaptive behaviors. This study aims to 1) validate scale measures for problematic Facebook and TikTok use (PFU and PTTU) 2) comparatively assess the underlying cognitive pathways of the PFU and PTTU among a sample of university students, 3) determine the cut-off score of the PTTU assessment scale using Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) and 4) evaluate the contribution of specific criteria in the diagnosis of PTTU. The scales used to assess PFU and PTTU were found to have appropriate psychometric properties. The scores between the PFU and PTTU scales were found to be strongly associated, however, the relationship was stronger in the group of Facebook users than in the group of TikTok users. Further, the manifestation of problematic use was not consistent between TikTok and Facebook. Loneliness was positively associated with both PFU and PTTU, while self-esteem was negatively associated with PFU only. The optimal cut-off score of the PTTU scale was determined to be 21, giving 8.7% as the estimated prevalence of PTTU. The criteria with the highest predictive power in the diagnosis of addiction among university students were "withdrawal" and "relapse". The study concludes that while the underlying addiction pathways are similar between platforms the manifestation of maladaptive behavior and the drivers for usage intensity and problematic use are unique.

Still Logged in? The Link Between Facebook Addiction, FoMO, Self-Esteem, Life Satisfaction and Loneliness in Social Media Users.

Studies to date have shown that fear of missing out (FoMO) is related to the lack of fulfilling one's psychological needs. Moreover, it affects one's involvement in social media. The objective of this study was to assess the links between satisfaction with life (the Satisfaction with Life Scale), self-esteem (the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale), loneliness (the de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale), FoMO (the Fear of Missing Out Scale) and Facebook addiction (the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale). The study involved 309 individuals aged 18-70 (M = 25.11, SD = 5.86). The results of analyses carried out using structural equation modeling have revealed that FoMO combines deficits in mental well-being with addiction to Facebook. The presented results are discussed also in the context of the intermediary role of self-esteem in the link between life satisfaction and loneliness versus FoMO.

Behavioral and psychosocial predictors of depression in Bangladeshi medical students: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Depression, stress, and anxiety were found in a large number of medical undergraduate students, indicating a neglected aspect of their psychology that required immediate attention. The goal of this study was to find out the prevalence of depression among medical students, as well as potential psychosocial and behavioral predictors for depression. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from July to November 2021 among 840 randomly selected medical students from four medical colleges using stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire and were analyzed through the SPSS v.23 software. Multiple regression was performed to assess the effect of several behavioral and psychosocial factors on depression. RESULTS: Among the 840 study participants, 55.7% (n= 468) were female and 44.3% (n= 372) were male. According to the data, the prevalence of depression, anxiety, perceived stress among medical students was found to be 28.8%, 65% and 85% respectively. A strong link was found between depression and anxiety, stress, poor sleep quality, poor academic performance, and a negative social and romantic relationship status. CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of medical students are depressed. In order to prevent and treat depression, medical students should be screened for depression and its associated factors.

Predictors of Nutritional Status, Depression, Internet Addiction, Facebook Addiction, and Tobacco Smoking Among Women With Eating Disorders in Spain.

Eating disorders (EDs) are a complex group of psychiatric conditions that involve dysfunctional eating patterns, nutritional alterations, and other comorbid psychopathologies. Some women with EDs may develop problematic internet use while they attempt to get information on dieting/weight control or get online support from people with similar problems. They may also drift toward tobacco smoking as a method to regulate their weight or to cope with their weight-related dysphoria. The occurrence of these conditions in EDs may prolong disease course and impede recovery. This study used structural equation modeling to investigate nutritional status (noted by body mass index, BMI), depression psychopathology, internet addiction (depicted by the Internet Addiction Test), Facebook addiction (depicted by the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale), and smoking among 123 Spanish women diagnosed with EDs (mean age = 27.3 ± 10.6 years). History of hospitalization, marital status, age, and the level of education predicted BMI in certain ED groups. BMI did not predict depression, but it predicted internet addiction, Facebook addiction, and smoking in certain ED groups. Depression did not predict BMI, internet/Facebook addition, or smoking in any ED group. Some sociodemographic and clinical variables had indirect effects on depression, internet addiction, and Facebook addiction while age was the only variable expressing a direct effect on all outcome measures. Age, education, and history of prolonged treatment predicted smoking in certain ED patients. The findings signify that a considerable target for interventional strategies addressing nutritional and addictive problems in EDs would be women with high BMI, history of hospitalization, history of prolonged treatment, who are particularly young, single, and less educated. Replication studies in larger samples, which comprise various subtypes of EDs from both genders, are warranted to define the exact interaction among the addressed variables.

Integrating an information systems success model with perceived privacy, perceived security, and trust: the moderating role of Facebook addiction.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of perceived security, perceived privacy, and satisfaction on Facebook user continuance intention. In addition, the serial multiple mediating effects of trust and satisfaction on the relationship between continuance intention and Facebook determinants are explored. This study also investigates the moderating role of Facebook addiction on the relationship between satisfaction and continuance intention. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: To achieve the study aims, an online survey was conducted among university undergraduate students. Data were collected from 450 voluntary participants. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS and PROCESS macro models. FINDINGS: The study results confirm that perceived privacy and satisfaction have significant impacts on Facebook continuance intention. The path analysis results confirm the full mediating roles of trust and satisfaction in the relationship between perceived security and continuance intention. Furthermore, the moderating role of Facebook addiction on the relationship between satisfaction and continuance intention is confirmed. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The results of this study offer insights to Facebook managers and policymakers regarding the treatment of and intervention in Facebook continuance intention. The results disclose the critical role of users' satisfaction and perceived privacy in influencing Facebook users' continuance intention for Facebook managers and policymakers. This confirms that Facebook managers and policymakers must maintain user privacy to increase the level of user satisfaction and continuance intention. Furthermore, they must ensure that the requisite security mechanisms are in place to increase user trust and satisfaction that influence users' continuance intention. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This research integrated perceived privacy, perceived security, and trust with an Information System (IS) success model. This is the first study to investigate the serial mediating effects of trust and satisfaction on the determinants of Facebook continuance intention. The moderating effects of Facebook addiction on the relationship between satisfaction and continuance intention are also examined. The study results make important contributions to Facebook continuance intention research and advance scholarship into aspects of undergraduate students' continuance intention in the context of Facebook.

How Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted Internet Use Behaviors and Facilitated Problematic Internet Use? A Bangladeshi Study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic-related "stay-at-home" and confinement orders has led individuals to be more engaged with technology use (eg, internet use). For a minority of individuals, excessive use can become problematic and addictive. However, the investigation of problematic internet use in the COVID-19 context is only just emerging. Therefore, the present study investigated the changes in internet use behaviors and addiction rates in comparison with prior Bangladeshi studies. METHODS: An online cross-sectional study was carried out among a total of 601 Bangladeshi students between October 7 and November 2, 2020. The survey included questions relating to socio-demographic, behavioral health, online use behaviors, and psychopathological variables. RESULTS: A quarter of the participants (26%) reported having low levels of internet addiction, whereas 58.6% were classed as having moderate internet addiction and 13% severe internet addiction. A total of 4% of the sample were classed as being at risk of severe internet dependency (ie, scoring over ≥80 on IAT). Risk factors for internet addiction included smartphone addiction, Facebook addiction, depression, and anxiety. However, the final hierarchical regression model comprising all variables explained a total of 70.6% variance of problematic internet use. CONCLUSION: Based on the present findings, it is concluded that individuals are at elevated risk of problematic internet use like other psychological impacts that have been reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, risk-reducing measures and healthy control use strategies should be implemented for vulnerable individuals.

Measuring Problematic Facebook Use among Adolescents and Young Adults with the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale: A Psychometric Analysis by Applying Item Response Theory.

The Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale (BFAS) is widely used, but psychometric evidence by applying Item Response Theory (IRT) is lacking. Considering the advantages of this psychometric approach, the aim of study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the BFAS among adolescents and young adults. Participants were 1134 (50% males, Mean age = 20.7, SD = 3.5, range = 14-33 years) Italian high school students and undergraduates. The unidimensionality of the scale was confirmed (χ2/df = 2.8, CFI = 0.99, TLI = 0.98, and RMSEA = 0.04 [C.I. = 0.02-0.06]) and IRT analysis showed that the scale assesses medium and high levels of the trait, and that it is useful in order to discriminate different levels of Problematic Facebook use (PFU) within this range of trait, in which the scale is sufficiently informative. The relationships of BFAS θ scores with theoretically related constructs provided support to the validity of the scale. In accordance with previous studies, BFAS scores were positively correlated with Problematic Internet use and problematic Social Network use, negatively correlated with self-esteem, and positively related to loneliness. The Differential Item Functioning (DIF) analysis showed that BFAS is invariant across gender, and only one item had uniform and small-in-size DIF. Additionally, we tested age invariance. Since only 17% of the BFAS items were non-invariant, we determined that the BFAS exhibited minor non-invariance as a whole. An analysis of the adequacy of the polythetic and monothetic criteria to define the range of the trait indicative of problematic use was also conducted. Overall, this study offers evidence that BFAS is a valuable and useful scale for measuring high levels of PFU among Italian adolescents and young adults.