Factorial analysis and gender invariance of GPIUS2 scale and evaluation ofCaplan’s cognitive-behavioral model of problematic Internet use in adolescents / Análisis factorial e invarianza de género de la escala GPIUS2 y evaluación del modelo cognitivo-conductual de Caplan del uso problemático de Internet en adolescentes

Caplan's (2010) revised cognitive-behavioral model of Problem-atic Internet Use (PIU) has become one of the most promising theoretical frameworks on such behavior in the last decade. The Generalized Prob-lematic Internet Use Scale (GPIUS2) (Caplan, 2010) has been adapted and validated for use with Spanish adolescents, but gender invariance has not been tested yet in this country. The present study focuses on three objec-tives: to confirm the factorial structure of GPIUS2, to analyze gender in-variance, and to test Caplan’s theoretical model, in a sample of Spanish ad-olescents. A cross-sectional study was carried out. The sample was com-posed of 909 participants from Spain, agedbetween 12 and 18 years (Mean age= 14.2, SD= 1.6). The results indicated a good fit of the GPIUS2 fac-tor structure and gender factorial invariance. Moreover, the cognitive-behavioral model fit the data. GPIUS2 has a very good structure and pre-sents gender factorial invariance, which favors its application in Spanish adolescent population. This study supports the cognitive-behavioral model of PIU.(AU)

El modelo cognitivo-conductual revisado de Caplan (2010) so-bre el Uso Problemático de Internet (UPI) es uno de los marcos teóricos más prometedores sobre dicho comportamiento en la última década. La Escala Uso Problemático de Internet Generalizado(GPIUS2) (Caplan, 2010) ha sido adaptada y validada para su uso con adolescentes españoles, pero aún no se ha comprobado su invarianza de género en España. El pre-sente estudio se centra en tres objetivos: confirmar la estructura factorial de la escala GPIUS2, analizar la invarianza de género de dicha escala y poner a prueba el modelo teórico de Caplan en una muestra de adolescentes espa-ñoles. Se realizó un estudio transversal. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 909 participantes de España, con edades comprendidas entre los 12 y los 18 años (Edad media= 14.2, DT= 1.6). Los resultados indicaron un buen ajuste de la estructura factorial del GPIUS2 e invarianza factorial en fun-ción del género. Además, el modelo cognitivo-conductual mostró un buen ajuste de los datos. La GPIUS2 tiene una muy buena estructura y presenta invarianza factorial para el género, lo que favorece su aplicación en la po-blación adolescente española. Este estudio apoya el modelo cognitivo-conductual en el UPI.(AU)

The Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale-2 in a French sample: Psychometric evaluation of the theoretical model.

OBJECTIVES: The Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale-2 (GPIUS-2) is a short self-report questionnaire assessing Internet addiction based on a cognitive behavioral model. Our main goal was to evaluate the psychometric properties of its French version among a sample of students and to appraise the relevance of the generalized problematic Internet use model. METHODS: A sample of 563 university students aged between 18 and 35 years (M=20.8; SD=2.7) completed several online self-report questionnaires including the GPIUS-2, the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and the Center for Epidemiologic Study-Depression scale (CES-D). RESULTS: Confirmatory Factorial Analyses revealed a poor but acceptable overall fit for the original five-factor model and the original four-factor model. Path analyses, testing Structural Equation Modeling provided showed a poor fit to the data, suggesting insufficient construct validity. Convergent and concurrent validities analyzed through correlational analyses revealed significant relationships between the GPIUS-2, its factors, the IAT, time spent online and the CES-D. CONCLUSIONS: This research highlights the insufficient psychometric properties of the GPIUS-2 in a French sample, similar to previous results. However, this French version appears to be a useful multidimensional tool for assessing problematic Internet use among students, and reveals promise for future research and clinical applications of the measure, given its solid theoretical basis and despite the results of this psychometric study.

The Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2: Validation and test of the model to Facebook use.

The main goals of the present study were to test the psychometric properties of a Portuguese version of the GPIUS2 (Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2, Caplan, 2010), and to test whether the cognitive-behavioral model proposed by Caplan (2010) replicated in the context of Facebook use. We used a sample of 761 Portuguese adolescents (53.7% boys, 46.3% girls, mean age = 15.8). Our results showed that the data presented an adequate fit to the original model using confirmatory factor analysis. The scale presented also good internal consistency and adequate construct validity. The cognitive-behavioral model was also applicable to the Facebook context, presenting good fit. Consistently with previous findings we found that preference for online social interaction and the use of Facebook to mood regulation purposes, predicted positively and significantly the deficient self-regulation in Facebook use, which in turn was a significant predictor of the negative outcomes associated with this use.

An Affective Neuroscience Framework for the Molecular Study of Internet Addiction.

Internet addiction represents an emerging global health issue. Increasing efforts have been made to characterize risk factors for the development of Internet addiction and consequences of excessive Internet use. During the last years, classic research approaches from psychology considering personality variables as vulnerability factor, especially in conjunction with neuroscience approaches such as brain imaging, have led to coherent theoretical conceptualizations of Internet addiction. Although such conceptualizations can be valuable aid, the research field is currently lacking a comprehensive framework for determining brain-based and neurochemical markers of Internet addiction. The present work aims at providing a framework on the molecular level as a basis for future research on the neural and behavioral level, in order to facilitate a comprehensive neurobiological model of Internet addiction and its clinical symptomatology. To help establish such a molecular framework for the study of Internet addiction, we investigated in N = 680 participants associations between individual differences in tendencies toward Internet addiction measured by the Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale-2 (GPIUS-2) and individual differences in primary emotional systems as assessed by the Affective Neuroscience Personality Scales (ANPS). Regression analysis revealed that the ANPS scales FEAR and SADNESS were the ANPS scales most robustly positively linked to several (sub)scales of the GPIUS-2. Also the scales SEEKING, CARE and PLAY explain variance in some of the GPIUS-2 subscales. As such, these scales are negatively linked to the GPIUS-2 subscales. As the ANPS has been constructed on substantial available brain data including an extensive molecular body with respect to evolutionary highly conserved emotional circuitry in the ancient mammalian brain, the present study gives first ideas on putative molecular mechanisms underlying different facets of Internet addiction as derived from associations between tendencies toward Internet addiction and individual differences in primary emotional systems. For example, as SADNESS is linked to the overall GPIUS-2 score, and the neuropeptide oxytocin is known to downregulate SADNESS, it is conceivable that the neuropeptide might play a role in Internet addition on the molecular level. Our findings provide a theoretical framework potentially illuminating the molecular underpinnings of Internet addiction. Finally, we also present data on the ANPS and smartphone addiction at the end of the paper. Similar to the reported associations between the ANPS and the GPIUS-2, these correlations might provide an initial outline for a framework guiding future studies that aim to address the molecular basis of smartphone addiction.