A differential item functioning (DIF) analysis of the mobile phone problem use scale in Indonesian schools with and without smartphone banned policy

Abstract

This study aimed to validate an Indonesian version of the Mobile Phone Problem Use Scale (MPPUS) in a sample of high school students from South Tangerang City, Banten Province,, Indonesia. Throughout this process, we evaluated the scale’s psychometric properties and examined the differential item functioning (DIF) across schools with and without a smartphone ban policy. The study used a cross-sectional survey design with a sample of 622 high school students (Mage = 16.10; SDage = 1.41). There were 312 respondents from schools with a smartphone ban and 310 from schools with no smartphone ban. We used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), multiple indicators multiple causes (MIMIC) model, and Rasch Rating Scale Model (RSM) to analyze the data. The CFA and MIMIC model results indicated a good fit for the overall model using the pooled sample. Based on MIMIC model, one item was flagged as DIF. Furthermore, RSM analysis demonstrated that the Indonesian MPPUS has adequate psychometric properties. RSM-based DIF analysis identified four DIF items. Therefore, 23 of 27 items on the scale have the same meaning across schools with two different policies. Our findings provide empirical evidence that MPPUS performed well across students from schools with and without smartphone restrictions, despite the fact that the MPPUS was originally designed for the general population. The findings of this study can be used to develop an evidence-based policy for implementing smartphone policies in Indonesian schools.