Evaluating Use and Attitudes Towards Social Media and ICT for Portuguese youth: the MTUAS-PY scale

Abstract

MMeasures on usage and attitudes towards ICT and social media are very diverse hindering the comparability of data. Due to its heavy use by young Portuguese, it is relevant to have comprehensive and accurate measurement tools. The main aims were to translate and adapt The Media and Technology Usage and Attitudes Scale (Rosen, Whaling, Carrier and Rokkum, 2013a) for the young Portuguese and to analyze the psychometric characteristics of the resulting scale: The Media and Technology Usage and Attitudes Scale for Portuguese Youth (MTUAS-PY). This psychometric study included an EFA conducted on a sample of 322 subjects aged between 12 and 18 years old (Mean age=14.78; SD= 2.04), being 59.3% girls. It also included a CFA on a sample of 479 subjects also aged between 12 and 18 years old (Mean age= 14.94; SD= 2.01), being 53% girls. The subjects were invited to participate voluntarily and the confidentiality of the data was assured. In EFA, for Usage, the PCA with a varimax rotation originated a solution with 10 factors explaining 73% of the total variance and for Attitudes a PCA forced to four factors with oblimin rotation resulted in 61% of total variation explained. The CFA presented acceptable adjustments to fit indices in Usage and Attitudes sub-scales. The MTUAS-PY scale has adequate psychometric qualities for assessing use and attitudes towards ICT and social media in Portuguese youth. Studies on different profiles throughout the youth and the comparison with behavioral data will further our understanding on a reality in constant technological change.