Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of Abbreviated Technology Anxiety Scale: Insights from University Students in Iranian Context

Computer anxiety can significantly impact students' academic performance and technology usage. This study examines the psychometric properties of the Persian Abbreviated Technology Anxiety Scale (ATAS). This cross-sectional study was conducted among students from five public and private universities in Hormozgan province, Iran, from October to December 2022. A total of 1158 students were selected to respond to the ATAS (having two dimensions with scores ranging from 11 to 55) and the Computer Anxiety Scale (CAS) (having six dimensions with scores ranging from 22 to 110). The CAS was used to establish concurrent validity with the ATAS. The ATAS underwent expert review, including back-translation and content validation. Structural validity was analyzed through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) using SPSS 25 and LISREL 8.8 software. Reliability was determined using split-half, test-retest, and Cronbach's alpha methods, with a significance threshold of 0.05. The majority of participants were female (62.5%) and at the undergraduate level (46.5%). The ATAS demonstrated strong content validity, with all items exceeding the required Content Validity Ratio (CVR) and Content Validity Index (CVI) thresholds. A significant positive correlation with the CAS (r=0.51, p<0.001) supported its concurrent validity. Factor analysis confirmed a two-factor structure—technology change anxiety (23.26±9.15) and technology incompetence anxiety (8.78±3.61)—accounting for 60.9% of the variance. The model's fit indices were acceptable. High reliability was evident, with an overall Cronbach's alpha of 0.96 and subscale ranges from 0.90 to 0.96. Test-retest reliability was 0.88 (p<0.01), and split-half reliability scored 0.92 and 0.93 for each half. The ATAS, with its 11 questions and two dimensions, possesses high validity and reliability. Therefore, it can serve as a credible and dependable tool for assessing technology anxiety and its facets among Iranian students.