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. 2022 Nov 28;17(11):e0273895.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273895. eCollection 2022.

The Japanese version of the Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2 (GPIUS2): Psychometric evaluation and analysis of the theoretical model

Sayaka Yoshimura  1   2   3 , Mami Shibata  4 , Yusuke Kyuragi  4 , Kei Kobayashi  4 , Morio Aki  4 , Toshiya Murai  4 , Hironobu Fujiwara  4   5   6
Affiliations

The Japanese version of the Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2 (GPIUS2): Psychometric evaluation and analysis of the theoretical model

Sayaka Yoshimura et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: The Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2 (GPIUS2) is a self-administered questionnaire that evaluates problematic internet use (PIU) from a multidimensional perspective. We analysed the psychometric properties and adequacy of the theoretical model of Japanese version of the GPIUS2.

Methods: This study included 291 healthy Japanese adults (median age = 25 years; interquartile range 22-43 years; 128 women) who completed the GPIUS2 and several other questionnaires evaluating the degree of PIU, self-esteem, depression, and impulsivity.

Results: Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed a similar factor structure between the original and Japanese versions of the GPIUS2, with only minor differences in item composition. Higher-order confirmatory factor analyses revealed a good overall fit for the factorial model suggested by EFA, indicating adequate construct validity. The model showed acceptable internal consistency. Partial correlation analyses between GPIUS2 and other measures, with age as a control variable, revealed good convergent validity. Finally, structural equation modelling showed a good fit to the data, supporting the cognitive-behavioural model of Caplan (2010).

Conclusions: The Japanese version of the GPIUS2 has good psychometric properties and the theoretical model of the original GPIUS2 is applicable to Japanese adults.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Cognitive-behavioural model of generalized problematic internet use (Caplan, 2010 [18]).
Fig 2
Fig 2. The four models evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).
Fig 3
Fig 3. Confirmatory factor analysis for the Japanese model of GPIUS2.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Standardized coefficient estimates of the theoretical model.
*p < .05, ***p < .001.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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