Psychometric validation of a German version of the Compulsive Internet Use Scale

Petersen KU, Kammerl R, Rosenkranz M, Thomasius R, Wartberg L (2014)


Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2014

Journal

Book Volume: 17

Pages Range: 99-103

Journal Issue: 2

URI: http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1089/cyber.2012.0689

Abstract

Excessive Internet use and Internet addiction are currently increasing in many industrial nations. Verified and validated measuring instruments could contribute to a better understanding of this still quite recent development. The aim of this survey was to investigate the psychometric properties of a German version of the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS). We surveyed a representative German quota sample of 1,723 adolescents aged between 14 and 17 years, as well as one parent each, with standardized questionnaires. In addition, adolescents and parents were asked whether the media use by the youth was considered problematic or excessive, and whether it led to arguments at home. We conducted confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) with maximum likelihood estimation to examine the factorial validity of the German CIUS, as well as reliability and correlation analyses. The results of the CFA indicate good psychometric properties for the German version of the CIUS. They appear in line with the findings for the original version of the questionnaire. Furthermore, the CIUS showed high internal consistency, and we found significant correlations between the “CIUS-summary score” and different ratings of problems with the media usage by the youth and the parents. The German version of the CIUS seems to be a valid and suitable diagnostic tool for measuring problematic to pathological Internet use.

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How to cite

APA:

Petersen, K.-U., Kammerl, R., Rosenkranz, M., Thomasius, R., & Wartberg, L. (2014). Psychometric validation of a German version of the Compulsive Internet Use Scale. Cyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking, 17(2), 99-103.

MLA:

Petersen, Kay-Uwe, et al. "Psychometric validation of a German version of the Compulsive Internet Use Scale." Cyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking 17.2 (2014): 99-103.

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