Description of the Questionnaire

The KEEFY questionnaire (Adolescent Computer Addiction Scale) consists of 20 questions and aims to measure addictive behavior related to computer use among adolescents. It was developed based on the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) by Kimberley Young, with modifications to refer generally to computer use rather than exclusively to internet use. The questions are answered using a five-point Likert scale, from 1 (never) to 5 (always), with a total score ranging from 20 to 100. The questionnaire assesses aspects of use related to behavior, emotional engagement, social life, sleep, school performance, and overall adolescent functionality.

Data Analysis and Usage

The psychometric analysis of the KEEFY scale included internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and an investigation of construct validity. Factor analysis revealed four main factors explaining a total of 59.15% of the variance in the overall score. These factors are lack of self-control, neglect of duties, neglect of social life, and excessive use. Internal consistency was exceptionally high with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.93 and a Rho of 0.95. The four factors showed statistically significant correlations with each other and with other variables such as frequency and years of computer use, as well as academic performance. Test-retest reliability was confirmed by administering the scale a second time to a subsample of 156 adolescents, demonstrating the tool’s stability over time. Construct validity was further confirmed through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), which yielded excellent fit indices (CFI=0.972, RMSEA=0.043), supporting the reliability and validity of the instrument.

Purpose

The aim of the KEEFY questionnaire is to standardize a reliable research tool that enables the prevention and diagnosis of computer addiction among Greek adolescent students. The development of the tool was necessitated by the specific characteristics of Greek society in terms of technological advancement, such as the low digital literacy of parents and the slow integration of new technologies into the education system. This instrument can detect addictive behaviors that are not limited to internet use but extend to all computer-related activities, such as offline gaming, programming, and hacking.

Scoring

The total score of the KEEFY scale ranges from 20 to 100. Scores from 20 to 39 indicate controlled use, from 40 to 59 indicate mild to moderate problems, and from 60 to 100 suggest significant issues related to excessive computer use. This gradation was based on corresponding findings from the Korean CRABI scale, a similar psychometric adaptation of the IAT. It should be noted that due to the lack of objective diagnostic criteria, precise cut-off points for pathological use were not established.

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