Psychometric evaluation of the problematic internet use questionnaire in Chinese emerging adults: an exploratory alternative three-factor structure and unidimensional short forms
- 1Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong
- 2Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- 3Human Resources Management Department, Business School, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
Abstract
Introduction: Problematic internet use (PIU) is a growing concern among university students. The 18-item Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire (PIUQ-18) is widely used, yet its factor structure remains debated across cultures. This study examined the psychometric properties of the PIUQ-18 and its short forms, the PIUQ-SF-9 and PIUQ-SF-6, among Chinese emerging adults.
Methods: Participants were 511 Chinese emerging adults (85.50% female). A split-sample design was used, with n = 260 n = 260 for exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and n = 251 n = 251 for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). We evaluated internal consistency, factor structure, and construct validity, including associations with well-being indicators.
Results: The PIUQ-18 demonstrated good internal consistency (α = 0.87 α = 0.87, ω = 0.87 ω = 0.87). The original three-factor model produced latent correlations exceeding 1.00 (Obsession–Control = 1.05; Neglect–Control = 1.09), rendering it statistically inadmissible in this sample. An alternative EFA-derived three-factor model was the best-fitting admissible PIUQ-18 model (CFI = 0.91, TLI = 0.90, RMSEA = 0.07, SRMR = 0.07), although its incremental fit remained below conventional benchmarks. HTMT values were below conventional thresholds, but confidence intervals for the latent correlations indicated that the dimensions remained substantially related. For the short forms, the PIUQ-SF-6 demonstrated acceptable unidimensional fit (CFI = 0.97, TLI = 0.95, RMSEA = 0.08, SRMR = 0.05), and the PIUQ-SF-9 showed comparable but weaker fit (CFI = 0.91, TLI = 0.88, RMSEA = 0.11, SRMR = 0.07). The Control Disorder subscale exhibited weaker reliability and validity and requires refinement.
Discussion: The original three-factor structure of the PIUQ-18 was not statistically admissible in this sample. An alternative EFA-derived three-factor structure showed promise, but its incremental fit was below conventional benchmarks, and the dimensions remained substantially related. The Control Disorder subscale showed weaker reliability and validity, indicating a need for refinement. The PIUQ-SF-6 showed preliminary support for a unidimensional factor structure and theoretically consistent associations with well-being indicators, whereas the PIUQ-SF-9 showed comparable but weaker fit. Overall, these findings should be interpreted as preliminary evidence rather than as evidence establishing screening utility.
Related
- Mental health problems in a large representative sample of children and adolescents: Prevalence, associations with problematic substance use and psychometric properties of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.
- German Adaptation and Psychometric Evaluation of the Conversation Questionnaire
- Preliminary Psychometric Evaluation of an Ultraviolet Radiation-Related Questionnaire in a Case-Control Sample
- Factor structure and psychometric validation of the antenatal exercise knowledge, attitudes, and practices questionnaire : A secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from Saudi Arabian pregnant women
- Development and Preliminary Psychometric Evaluation of a Questionnaire on Comprehensive Protection, Quality, and Humanization in Pediatric Hospital Care
BibTeX
@article{fung2026psychometric,
title = {{Psychometric evaluation of the problematic internet use questionnaire in Chinese emerging adults: an exploratory alternative three-factor structure and unidimensional short forms}},
author = {Sai-Fu Fung and Cyrus Ngo Tin Lai and Jessica Garneau and Annick Parent-Lamarche},
journal = {Frontiers in Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2026.1980618},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1980618/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Psychometric evaluation of the problematic internet use questionnaire in Chinese emerging adults: an exploratory alternative three-factor structure and unidimensional short forms
AU - Sai-Fu Fung
AU - Cyrus Ngo Tin Lai
AU - Jessica Garneau
AU - Annick Parent-Lamarche
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/26
JO - Frontiers in Public Health
DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1980618
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1980618/full
AB - Introduction: Problematic internet use (PIU) is a growing concern among university students. The 18-item Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire (PIUQ-18) is widely used, yet its factor structure remains debated across cultures. This study examined the psychometric properties of the PIUQ-18 and its short forms, the PIUQ-SF-9 and PIUQ-SF-6, among Chinese emerging adults. Methods: Participants were 511 Chinese emerging adults (85.50% female). A split-sample design was used, with n = 260 n = 260 for exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and n = 251 n = 251 for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). We evaluated internal consistency, factor structure, and construct validity, including associations with well-being indicators. Results: The PIUQ-18 demonstrated good internal consistency (α = 0.87 α = 0.87, ω = 0.87 ω = 0.87). The original three-factor model produced latent correlations exceeding 1.00 (Obsession–Control = 1.05; Neglect–Control = 1.09), rendering it statistically inadmissible in this sample. An alternative EFA-derived three-factor model was the best-fitting admissible PIUQ-18 model (CFI = 0.91, TLI = 0.90, RMSEA = 0.07, SRMR = 0.07), although its incremental fit remained below conventional benchmarks. HTMT values were below conventional thresholds, but confidence intervals for the latent correlations indicated that the dimensions remained substantially related. For the short forms, the PIUQ-SF-6 demonstrated acceptable unidimensional fit (CFI = 0.97, TLI = 0.95, RMSEA = 0.08, SRMR = 0.05), and the PIUQ-SF-9 showed comparable but weaker fit (CFI = 0.91, TLI = 0.88, RMSEA = 0.11, SRMR = 0.07). The Control Disorder subscale exhibited weaker reliability and validity and requires refinement. Discussion: The original three-factor structure of the PIUQ-18 was not statistically admissible in this sample. An alternative EFA-derived three-factor structure showed promise, but its incremental fit was below conventional benchmarks, and the dimensions remained substantially related. The Control Disorder subscale showed weaker reliability and validity, indicating a need for refinement. The PIUQ-SF-6 showed preliminary support for a unidimensional factor structure and theoretically consistent associations with well-being indicators, whereas the PIUQ-SF-9 showed comparable but weaker fit. Overall, these findings should be interpreted as preliminary evidence rather than as evidence establishing screening utility.
SN - 2296-2565
ER -