Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2 (GPIUS-2)

The Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale-2 (GPIUS-2) is a multidimensional psychometric instrument that contains 15 items assessing measures of generalized problematic Internet use, including cognitive, behavioral, and negative consequences experienced by individuals. The scale’s factor structure operationalizes problematic Internet use by measuring five constructs: preference for online social interactions (items 1, 6, 11), mood regulation (2, 7, 12), cognitive bias (3, 8, 13), compulsive Internet use (4, 9, 14), and negative consequences (5, 10, 15). Each construct is measured using a three-item subscale. It also includes a sixth second-order factor (i.e., lack of self-regulation) comprising the subscales of compulsive Internet use and cognitive bias.

Length of completion

The entire scale takes approximately 5 minutes to complete.

Individualized feedback for the respondent

After completing the questionnaire, the respondent will learn how much he/she is concerned about problematic Internet use.

Keywords

Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2, GPIUS-2, problematic internet use, online, internet

Scoring and interpretation

The total score can be calculated either by summing the 15 items (range 8-120) or by averaging the scores (range 1-8). It is also possible to calculate the total score for each subscale separately.

Response Scale

Respondents answer on an eight-point Likert scale ranging from “strongly disagree” (1) to “strongly agree” (8).

References

Caplan, S. (2002). Problematic Internet use and psychosocial well-being: development of a theory-based cognitive–behavioral measurement instrument. Computers in Human Behavior, 18(5), 553-575. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/S0747-5632(02)00004-3

Caplan, S. (2010). Theory and measurement of generalized problematic internet use: A two-step approach. Computers in Human Behavior, 26(5), 1089–1097. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2010.03.012

Caplan, S. (2019). GPIUS2 Scale Items and Instructions. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338046867_GPIUS2_Scale_Items_and_Instructions

Pontes, H., Caplan, S., & Griffiths, M. (2016). Psychometric validation of the Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2 in a Portuguese sample. Computers in Human Behavior, 63, 823-833. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.06.015