Development and evaluation of the Motivation to Limit Screen-time Questionnaire (MLSQ) for adolescents

Objective: The aim of this study was to design and evaluate a brief scale to assess adolescents' motivation to limit their screen-time using a self-determination theory (SDT) framework. Methods: The development and evaluation of the Motivation to Limit Screen-time Questionnaire (MLSQ) involved three phases. In Phase 1, experts in SDT were asked to review the content validity of the MLSQ items. In Phase 2, adolescent boys (N = 342, mean age = 12.7 ± .5 years) completed the MLSQ and the factorial validity of the model was explored. In Phase 3, adolescent boys (N = 48, mean age = 14.3 ± 1.3 years) completed the MLSQ on two occasions separated by 1-week. Phases 2 and 3 were conducted in New South Wales, Australia in 2012. Results: Twenty four SDT experts reviewed the original scale items. Validity coefficients associated with six of the original eight items exceeded the threshold value (V > .68, p < .01). In Phase 2, the revised three-factor (9-items) model provided a good fit to the data (SRMR = .07, CFI = .96). The intraclass correlation (ICC) values were .67 for amotivation and .70 and .82 for controlled and autonomous motivation, respectively. Conclusion: This study has provided preliminary evidence for the validity and reliability of the MLSQ in adolescent boys.