Theory and measurement of generalized problematic Internet use: A two-step approach

14. Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2: update on the psychometric properties among Italian young adults

“…Recent studies have produced empirical evidence supporting the claim that compulsive use is a central component of PIU (e.g., Caplan, 2005;Kim et al, 2009;van den Eijnden, Meerkerk, Vermulst, Spijkerman, & Engels, 2008). POSI has been found to be predictive of this compulsive use (Caplan, 2010;Fioravanti, Dèttore, & Casale, 2012) and mood regulation was a significant cognitive predictor of negative outcomes associated with Internet use (Caplan, 2002;Gámez-Guadix, Villa-George, & Calvete, 2012). Caplan and High (2007) found that the association between compulsive Internet use and negative outcomes is more pronounced when cognitive preoccupation is present.…”

“…Since the publication of Davis' research, Caplan (2002;2003;2010) has integrated the research on interpersonal communication in face-to-face (FtF) settings with Davis's model of GPIU by highlighting the role that interpersonal computer mediated communication (CMC) processes play in the relationship between Internet use and psychosocial well-being. In 2010 Caplan proposed an integrated conceptual model of GPIU that combines elements of Davis' cognitive-behavioral theory, his own works that address a preference for online social interaction (Caplan, 2003;, and the socio-cognitive model of unregulated Internet use (Kim, LaRose & Peng, 2009;LaRose, Lin, & Eastin, 2003).…”

“…In 2010 Caplan proposed an integrated conceptual model of GPIU that combines elements of Davis' cognitive-behavioral theory, his own works that address a preference for online social interaction (Caplan, 2003;, and the socio-cognitive model of unregulated Internet use (Kim, LaRose & Peng, 2009;LaRose, Lin, & Eastin, 2003). The updated cognitive-behavioral model of PIU includes four core components: preference for online social interaction (POSI), mood regulation, deficient self-regulation, and negative outcomes (Caplan, 2010). POSI is defined as the belief that one is safer, more efficacious, and more confident with online interpersonal interactions than with FtF interactions.…”

“…Recently, some theory-driven instruments have been created (e.g., Demetrovics, Szeredi, & Ròzsa, 2008;Pratarelli & Browne, 2002). Among them, the Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2 (GPIUS2; Caplan, 2010) (Caplan, 2002), has been developed in order to formally test the updated model of generalized problematic Internet use. The GPIUS2 addresses four core components: (1) POSI (a sample item is "Online social interaction is more comfortable for me than face-to-face interaction"); (2) Mood Regulation (a sample item is "I have used the Internet to make myself feel better when I was down"); (3) Deficient Self-Regulation, which consists of a compulsive use dimension and a cognitive preoccupation dimension (sample items are, respectively, "I find it difficult to control my Internet use" and "I think obsessively about going online when I am offline"); and (4) Negative Outcomes (e.g.…”

“…The GPIUS2 (Caplan, 2010) contains fifteen Likert-type items rated on an 8-point scale (from "definitely disagree" to "definitely agree"). Preliminary data show that the Italian version of the GPIUS2 seems to be a valid measure of GPIU cognitions, behaviors, and outcomes.…”