Validation of an original Behavioral Changes Scale on use of Digital Technologies during Social Distancing (BCSDTSD).

Pádua, Mariana Spear King Lins de; King, Anna Lucia Spear; Gonçalves, Lucio Lage; Santos, Hugo Kegler; Rodrigues, Douglas; Nardi, Antônio Egidio

BACKGROUND Given the social distancing adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic, the internet has been transformed from a convenience into a necessity. The behavioral changes caused by isolation have ranged from adaptation of consumption, work, and teaching routines to leisure options to occupy idle time at home. Such transformations can be positive by expanding the use of digital technologies, but they can also have serious future physical and emotional consequences if there is no conscious use of technological devices. OBJECTIVE The study aimed to validate the BCSDTSD instrument for assessing behavioral changes related to the use of digital technologies during social distancing. METHOD Validation of the BCSDTSD in 5 phases: 1. construction of an initial scale with 10 questions; 2. evaluation of the questions by a panel of experts; 3. application to 1,012 volunteers via the internet; 4. statistical analysis of the results; and 5. preparation of the validated final version of the BCSDTSD. Data analysis used the dplyr, psy, and paran packages and the REdaS statistical program. Three statistical criteria were used in the factor analysis (FA). RESULTS FA confirmed the maintenance of the 10 questions in the questionnaire, confirming its robust construction, and Cronbach's alpha reinforced the internal consistency with a value of 0.725, which is satisfactory for first-application questionnaires. CONCLUSION The BCSDTSD instrument was validated to assess behavioral changes related to the use of digital technologies during social distancing.