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 the degree of generalized problematic Internet use including cognitive, behavioral, and negative consequences experienced by individuals. The factor structure of the scale operationalizes problematic Internet use by measuring five constructs: online social interaction preferences (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. insufficient self-regulation) including subscales of compulsive Internet use and cognitive preoccupation.

Length of filling

The entire scale takes approximately 5 minutes to complete.

Individualized feedback for the respondent

After filling out the questionnaire, the respondent learns how much the problematic use of the Internet affects him.

Keywords

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

Scoring and interpretation

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

Response scale

Respondents answer on an eight-point Likert scale 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