Valutazione dei «disagi» arrecati dall'informatica - La validazione italiana della Computer Technology Hassles Scale (CTHS)

Background: Over the last years, an increasing utilization of Personal Computers has been observed in various fields. The aim of the present study is to validate an Italian version of CTHS (Computer Technology Hassles Scale 1989), a scale exploring the «troubles» and the stress related to informatics. Methods: We translated and administered the CTHS to a heterogeneous sample composed of 306 subjects, aged 18-60 years. Data were processed by means of factorial analysis. Subsequently, the test-retest has been performed to test reliability. Results: Factorial analysis allowed to recognize only one significative factor which explains 29.339% of the total variance. This factor derives from 50 items of the 69 original items and has been denominated «informatic factor». The test-retest reliability was elevated both in the first and in the second administration. Conclusions: The Italian version of the scale seems to offer sufficient assurance about the reliability of the test, an easy tool for the evaluation of the troubles and stress related to the use of informatic technology in different populations.