Evaluation of the cognitive-behavioral model of generalized and problematic Internet use in Spanish adolescents

Problematic use of Internet is a growing concern that interferes in the family and academic life of adolescents. This study had three related objectives: 1) to analyze the psychometric properties of the Revised Generalized and Problematic Internet Use Scale (GPIUS2) among Spanish adolescents; 2) to examine the theoretical cognitive-behavioral model of generalized and problematic Internet use; and 3) to study the relationship between the type of Internet use and generalized and problematic Internet use.

Participants were 1,021 adolescents in Bizkaia (55.7% girls, mean age = 14.95 years, SD = 1.71).

Factor analyses confirmed the internal structure of four factors originally proposed for GPIUS2, called Preference for online social interaction, Mood regulation, Deficient self-regulation, and Negative consequences. Consistent with the theoretical model, preference for online social interaction and mood regulation increased the likelihood of reporting deficient self-regulation, which, in turn, was associated with negative consequences for the adolescents.

The GPIUS2 is a reliable and valid instrument that can be used in adolescent samples. Furthermore, the results support the cognitive behavioral model of problematic Internet use in adolescents.