Psychometric evaluation and measurement invariance of the problematic smartphone use scale among college students: A national survey of 130 145 participants

Abstract Background and Aims Given the insufficient validation of previously imported smartphone addiction scales in China, this study revised and evaluated the Problematic Smartphone Use Scale among Chinese college students (PSUS‐C). Methods We based our research on a national sample comprising 1324 higher education institutions and 130 145 participants. Using cross‐sectional data, comprehensive methods were employed to examine validity, reliability and measurement invariance. Results The final scale consists of 20 items across four dimensions: withdrawal and loss of control, negative impact, salience behaviors and excessive use. All Heterotrait‐Monotrait (HTMT) values were below 0.85, and the lower 90% and upper 95% confidence intervals were also below 0.85, except for factors 1 and 3. The amount of variance (AVE) values were greater than 0.5, composite reliability (ω) values exceeded 0.89 and all factor loadings were above 0.5. The criterion validity was supported as expected: problematic smartphone usage positively correlated with depression ( r = 0.451), loneliness (8 items, r = 0.455), loneliness (6 items, r = 0.504), social media use ( r = 0.614) and phone usage duration ( r = 0.148); and negatively correlated with life satisfaction ( r = −0.218) and self‐esteem ( r = −0.416). Across sex, type of university and place of residence, the measurement invariance performed well, with most changes in root mean square error of approximation (ΔRMSEA), comparative fit index (ΔCFI) and Tucker–Lewis index (ΔTLI) values being less than 0.005, and no indicator showing a difference greater than 0.010. Conclusions The Problematic Smartphone Use Scale for College Students (PSUS‐C) demonstrated good factor structure, internal consistency, construct validity, discriminant validity and criterion validity. Strict and structural invariance were demonstrated across sex, type of university and place of residence. The PSUS‐C has the potential to assess smartphone addiction among Chinese university students.