Development of the Russian Version of the Questionnaire for the Problematic Use of Social Networks

Abstract

We present the results of modification and approbation of the Problematic Facebook (Social Networks) Use Scale on the Russian sample. The scale assesses various aspects of social networks use including preferring online communication among other types, using social networks to regulate emotions, constant thinking about social networks and frequent compulsive social network visits and their negative consequences. The study involved 900 people who filled out electronic forms posted in the leading Russian social networks — Facebook, Vkontakte, Instagram. The mean age was 28.6 ± 7.5. It is shown that the Russian version of Problematic Social Networks Use Scale has good internal consistency. It consists of five factors and has good reliability and validity scores. Significant differences in cognitive emotion regulation strategies, positive and negative affect and personal anxiety in the low- and high-use groups confirm the external validity of the scale.

Keywords

• social networks
• compulsive use of social networks
• online communication
• cognitive regulation of emotions
• affect
• anxiety
• negative consequences of using social networks