Development and validation of a Computer Psychosomatic Symptom Scale

Abstract

We developed a scale for assessing psychosomatic symptoms caused by computer equipment use and examined the reliability and validity of this scale. We collected 62 items in a pilot study. Then, undergraduates (N=216) responded to the main research (Studies 1–3). The resulting scale for assessing psychosomatic symptoms consisted of five factors: “Anxiety” (16 items), “Physical symptoms” (11 items), “Preoccupation symptoms” (7 items), “Addiction features” (6 items), and “Dissatisfaction with computer operation” (5 items). The Computer Psychosomatic Symptom Scale (CPSS) had adequate alpha and omega coefficients and test-retest reliability. The validity of the scale was supported by significant correlations with other measures and established factorial invariance. Based on these results, we concluded that the CPSS is a valid measure of psychosomatic symptoms caused by using computer equipment.