ArticleFrontiers in psychology2026
Early detection of problematic internet use among university students: psychometric validation of the PIUQ-9.
Article in Frontiers in psychology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
Background: University students extensively use the internet for academic, social, and recreational purposes, increasing the risk of developing problematic internet use (PIU). Although several instruments exist, there is a need for brief, psychometrically sound screening tools capable of identifying individuals at risk and detecting related conditions such as Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and Online Gambling Disorder (OGD). Objectives: This study aimed to examine the reliability and validity of the 9-item Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire (PIUQ-9) in a sample of first-year university students and to explore its screening performance for PIU and its potential utility for identifying increased risk of related conditions such as Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and Online Gambling Disorder (OGD). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with Results: Confirmatory factor analysis supported a unidimensional structure of the PIUQ-9. The scale demonstrated good internal consistency (ω = 0.82) and explained 38.5% of the total variance. Convergent validity was supported by moderate to strong correlations with related measures, including risk of internet/social network addiction ( Conclusion: The PIUQ-9 is a brief, reliable, and valid instrument for assessing PIU among university students. This study extends previous research by providing evidence of its accuracy in identifying related behavioral addictions, such as IGD and OGD, within a population highly vulnerable to PIU yet still underrepresented in the scientific literature. The findings support its utility as an efficient screening tool in both research and applied settings, facilitating early detection and targeted prevention strategies in young adult populations.
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