ABSTRACT
Objectives: The nine-item Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire (PIUQ-9) is a brief self-report screening instrument for problematic internet use. The main objective of the present study was to explore the psychometric properties of the PIUQ-9 among nine different language-based samples of European internet users (Italian, German, French, Polish, Turkish, Hungarian, English, and Greek). Methods: The total sample comprised 5,593 internet users (38.1% men), aged between 18 and 87 years (M = 25.81; SD = 8.61). Via online recruitment, participants completed the PIUQ-9, the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and items about time spent online. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that the bifactor model with one general factor (i.e., general problem) and two-specific factors (i.e., obsession and neglect + control disorder) yielded acceptable or good fit indices in all subsamples except for one. The common variance index in the bifactor model indicated that the general problem factor explained from 57.0 to 76.5% of common variance, which supports the presence of a strong global factor. According to the multiple indicators multiple causes (MIMIC) model, psychiatric symptoms had a moderate-to-strong direct effect on the general problem factor in all subsamples, ranging from ß = 0.28 to ß = 0.52 supporting the construct validity of the scale. Furthermore, in a majority of the subsamples, time spent online during the weekend had considerably higher effect sizes on the general problem factor than time spent online during weekdays. Conclusion: The present study highlights the appropriate psychometric properties of the PIUQ-9 across a number of European languages and cultures.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Aim of this research was to determine whether differences in clinical picture of psychopathy (on the basis of which subtypes of psychopathy are identified) reflect differences in pathology of personality organization (integration) according to O. Kernberg. METHODS: The research was conducted on 417 subjects, of whom 88.5% were criminals, 11.5% - non-criminals. Psychopathic Personality Inventory-Revised (PPI-R), developed by S.O. Lilienfeld, was used to assess level of psychopathy while personality organization level was assessed by Borderline Personality Inventory (BPI) developed by F. Leichsenring. K-means cluster analysis was supported by AUC. RESULTS: Cluster analysis allowed for differentiation of two groups: cluster 1 - fearlessly dominating psychopaths and cluster 2 - egocentrically-impulsive psychopaths. Egocentrically-impulsive psychopaths are significantly more frequently characterized by borderline personality organization than psychopaths from cluster 1. In addition to symptoms of psychopathy they show evidence of deeper identity disorders, apply primitive defense mechanisms more frequently, experience fear of fusion and severe problems in reality testing. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in picture of psychopathy reflect different pathology of personality organization. Results confirm the thesis of distinctive nature of coldheartedness and its invariant presence in picture of psychopathy regardless of configuration of other traits in both subtypes.
