OBJECTIVES: The Young's internet addiction test (IAT) is used worldwide, and the psychometric properties of IAT have been documented in other countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate and validate the factors and structure of the IAT as applied to Korean college students. METHODS: Data was collected from students (n=2216) at Kongju National University via an online survey system. The factor structures of the IAT were assessed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. RESULTS: The IAT produced acceptable internal consistency and reliability (Cronbach alpha=0.921). We discovered that the two-factor structure of the IAT produced acceptable psychometric properties. Factor 1 consisted of the aspiration and obsession to achieve orientation in cyberspace, Factor 2 consists of loss of control, withdrawal, and neglect of social interaction and duties. These findings were inconsistent with those of previous studies. There were no significant gender differences observed in internet addiction rates. CONCLUSION: IAT is a reliable scale which identifies two internet addiction factors in Korean college students. This scale could be useful to quantitatively evaluate internet addiction.
Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Humans ; Internet ; Interpersonal Relations ; Obsessive Behavior ; Orientation ; Psychometrics

We developed a Korean translation of the Internet Addiction Test (KIAT), widely used self-report for internet addiction and tested its reliability and validity in a sample of college students. Two hundred seventy-nine college students at a national university completed the KIAT. Internal consistency and two week test-retest reliability were calculated from the data, and principal component factor analysis was conducted. Participants also completed the Internet Addiction Diagnostic Questionnaire (IADQ), the Korea Internet addiction scale (K-scale), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for the criterion validity. Cronbach's alpha of the whole scale was 0.91, and test-retest reliability was also good (r = 0.73). The IADQ, the K-scale, and depressive symptoms were significantly correlated with the KIAT scores, demonstrating concurrent and convergent validity. The factor analysis extracted four factors (Excessive use, Dependence, Withdrawal, and Avoidance of reality) that accounted for 59% of total variance. The KIAT has outstanding internal consistency and high test-retest reliability. Also, the factor structure and validity data show that the KIAT is comparable to the original version. Thus, the KIAT is a psychometrically sound tool for assessing internet addiction in the Korean-speaking population.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Behavior, Addictive/*diagnosis ; Depression/diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; *Program Evaluation ; Questionnaires ; Republic of Korea ; Students/psychology ; *Translating ; Universities ; Young Adult