Abstract

MARZO, Juan; GARCIA-OLIVA, Carlos  and  PIQUERAS, Jose A. Factorial analysis and gender invariance of GPIUS2 scale and evaluation of Caplan’s cognitive-behavioral model of problematic Internet use in adolescents. Anal. Psicol. [online]. 2022, vol.38, n.3, pp.469-477.  Epub Oct 16, 2023. ISSN 1695-2294.  https://dx.doi.org/10.6018/analesps.508461.

Caplan's (2010) revised cognitive-behavioral model of Problematic Internet Use (PIU) has become one of the most promising theoretical frameworks on such behavior in the last decade. The Generalized Problematic 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 objectives: to confirm the factorial structure of GPIUS2, to analyze gender invariance, and to test Caplan’s theoretical model, in a sample of Spanish adolescents. A cross-sectional study was carried out. The sample was composed of 909 participants from Spain, aged between 12 and 18 years (Mean age = 14.2, SD = 1.6). The results indicated a good fit of the GPIUS2 factor structure and gender factorial invariance. Moreover, the cognitive-behavioral model fit the data. GPIUS2 has a very good structure and presents gender factorial invariance, which favors its application in Spanish adolescent population. This study supports the cognitive-behavioral model of PIU.

Keywords : Problematic Internet use; GPIUS2; Factorial invariance; Adolescents; Measurement.

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