Development and validation of The CyberAbility Scale: a screening tool of cyberscam risk for people with and without acquired brain injury

Cyberscams represent a significant global issue to which people with acquired brain injury (ABI) may be particularly vulnerable. Due to a lack of existing measures, <i>The CyberAbility Scale</i> was developed to measure cyberscam vulnerability for people with and without ABI. This study aimed to refine and validate <i>The CyberAbility Scale.</i> <i>The CyberAbility Scale</i> was refined through assessment of scale response distribution, inter-item and item-total correlations, and exploratory factor analysis. Confirmatory and multiple-group confirmatory factor analyses and psychometric properties were evaluated. Participants with (<i>n</i> = 149) and without (<i>n</i> = 153) ABI completed a longer version of the scale, with 24 relevant and functional items retained. A four-factor model of risk included Past Scam Experience, Scam Knowledge, Trusted Supports, and Seeking Connection Online, alongside the ability to identify scams. The scale had appropriate model fit, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and concurrent and construct validity. Overall, <i>The CyberAbility Scale</i> is a brief, valid tool to screen online vulnerability for persons with and without ABI. Cyberscams are a serious global issue that impacts vulnerable groups such as people with acquired brain injury (ABI).<i>The CyberAbility Scale</i> includes 24 self-rated questions to assess cybersafety for persons with and without ABI.Initial evidence shows that <i>The CyberAbility Scale</i> is consistent and accurate.<i>The CyberAbility Scale</i> can be used by people with ABI, clinicians, and researchers to screen for and identify areas of online risk. Cyberscams are a serious global issue that impacts vulnerable groups such as people with acquired brain injury (ABI). <i>The CyberAbility Scale</i> includes 24 self-rated questions to assess cybersafety for persons with and without ABI. Initial evidence shows that <i>The CyberAbility Scale</i> is consistent and accurate. <i>The CyberAbility Scale</i> can be used by people with ABI, clinicians, and researchers to screen for and identify areas of online risk.