Examining the validity of the short problematic internet use test among adults and the link with impairment of executive functions and well-being
A cross-sectional study
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21625487 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Marina Baroni (0000-0003-3017-3765, University of Pisa), Marco Scalese (0000-0002-7470-2422, National Research Council), Luca Bastiani (0000-0003-3467-7362, National Research Council), Sonia Cerrai (0000-0002-0774-8586, Maastricht University), Silvia Biagioni (0000-0002-0347-5349, University of Pisa), Sabrina Molinaro (0000-0001-7221-0873, National Research Council, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 44 |
| Issue | 11 |
| Pages | 10026-10039 |
| Publication date | 2025-06-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Current Psychology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1046-1310 • E-ISSN: 1936-4733 |
| Publisher | Springer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1007/s12144-025-07824-w |
| OpenAlex | W4409869132 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 96 |
The Internet is widely usedin daily life. Nevertheless, excessive and inappropriate use may contribute to the development of Problematic Internet Use (PIU), which has several adverse consequences. In light of this, developing reliable tools for evaluating internet usage patterns is suitable. The Short Problematic Internet Use Test (SPIUT) is a 5-point Likert scale validated among Italian adolescents but not among adults. It has been shown to be reliable and suitable for assessment in non-clinical populations. Therefore, this study aimed at to validate the Italian version of the SPIUT among adults (18–84 years old) and also to examine putative associations between PIU and executive functioning and well-being. Data were collected from 5,160 Italian adults aged 18–84 through the Italian Population Survey on Alcohol and other Drugs (IPSAD ® ), a representative cross-sectional study. Principal Component Analysis and Multiple Correspondence Analysis were carried out to investigate the psychometric properties of the SPIUT. The results indicated a good reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.810). Additionally, Structural Equation Modelling was performed as a confirmatory factor analysis, revealing that SPIUT scores correlated with executive functions impairment (working memory and inhibition) and with low well-being. Therefore, the SPIUT can be considered a reliable and valid instrument for assessing PIU in non-clinical adult populations (18–84 years old). Due to its brevity, the SPIUT could serve as an effective tool for PIU assessment in various contexts while potential methodological issues such as sampling bias. Furthermore, the present findings provide insight into the relationship between PIU, executive functioning, and well-being
Cognition · Cross-sectional study · Developmental psychology · Executive functions · Psychiatry · Psychometrics · Statistics · Test validity · The Internet · World Wide Web · Clinical Psychology · Digital Mental Health Interventions · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Psychology · Social Psychology
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| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |