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Research Paper | Psychology Science | Bangladesh | Volume 10 Issue 1, January 2021

Does Selfitis Exist?: Development of a Selfitis Behavioral Scale

Rumana Haque | Tasnim Ferdouse | Shahanaz Akter

Abstract: Selfie taken with a digital camera or smartphone is a self-portrayed digital photograph that is often shared on social media. Although this might sound like a normal part of the lifestyle, the excessive obsession to capture photos of oneself is classified as a mental disorder by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). This mental disorder was classified as ‘Selfitis’ by the American Psychiatric Association (2014). The stages of this disorder could be borderline, acute, and chronic. Empirical investigations have found different aspects of internal and external factors of the human mind that may instigate this behavior. This study aims to empirically explore this concept. Firstly, data is collected through focus group interviews from the students of Khulna University, and twenty-four items were generated for developing Selfitis Behavioral Scale. In the second phase, the Selfitis Behavioral Scale is developed and validated using the responses with Exploratory Factor Analysis. And five factors (Self-exhibition, Social enhancement, Environmental extension, Emotional modification, and Conventional Conformity) that play a role in three intensity levels of Selfitis are identified as well.

Keywords: Selfitis, Social media, Self-Exhibition, Environmental Extension, Emotional Modification, Selfitis Behavioral Scale

Edition: Volume 10 Issue 1, January 2021,

Pages: 1540 - 1550