Factorial validity of the problematic social media use scale among Chinese adults

The Problematic Social Media Use Scale (PSMUS) is a promising self-report measure assessing problematic use of social media among adolescents and adults. However, data concerning its psychometrics are still scant, and adaptation in Eastern cultures is missing. This study aimed to test the factorial structure, internal consistency, and external validity of the Chinese version of the PSMUS in a sample of 672 adults (31% males) aged between 18 and 58. A series of confirmatory factor analyses supported the bifactor structure of the PSMUS, including a general factor and five specific independent components, namely preference for online social interactions, mood regulation, cognitive preoccupation, compulsive use, and negative outcomes. Hierarchical Omega supported the presence of a general factor, and also ancillary indexes suggested that the questionnaire is not strictly unidimensional. Subsequent structural equation modeling testing the incremental contribution of each PSMUS facet in predicting negative emotional states showed that, above and beyond the general factor, only one of the five dimensions (i.e., negative outcomes) significantly links to our criterion measure further support the use of an overall PSMU score. Moreover, results support the external validity of the questionnaire, given its positive association with depression, anxiety, and stress scores. The Chinese version of the PSMUS is a psychometric sound instrument to assess the level of PSMU in adults. Future research may evaluate the cross-cultural validity of the bifactor model and its associations with other assessment methods.