Assessing mobile phone attachment: a psychometric study in the Portuguese young adult population

The Young Adult Attachment to Phone Scale (YAPS) is a 6-item self-report measure assessing emotional attachment to smartphones across two dimensions: using the phone as a source of comfort (Refuge) and experiencing it as burdensome (Burden). This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the YAPS in a Portuguese young adult sample.

Participants were 648 Portuguese young adults (aged 18–35). We examined factorial structure via confirmatory factor analysis, reliability, convergent and discriminant validity, and measurement invariance across gender and education level. Given the ordinal nature of the items, analyses employed the DWLS estimator.

The two-factor structure was confirmed with excellent model fit (CFI = 0.990, RMSEA = 0.069). Internal consistency was good for Refuge (ω = 0.83) and acceptable for Burden (ω = 0.74). Both factors demonstrated convergent and discriminant validity. Full measurement invariance was established across gender, and partial invariance across education levels. Latent mean differences emerged by education but not by gender.

The Portuguese YAPS is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing phone-specific attachment in young adults. Findings support its use in research and practice, while highlighting the need for further refinement of the Burden dimension. The scale offers a culturally appropriate tool for understanding technology engagement in Portugal's highly connected youth population.