Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the Problematic Generative Artificial Intelligence Use Scale Among Turkish University Students

The present study reports the development and validation of the Problematic Generative Artificial Intelligence Use Scale (PGAIUS) using data collected from undergraduate students enrolled in public universities in Türkiye, where chatbot-based GenAI systems constitute the predominant form of use. This methodological study employed a cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational design and was conducted with 1,000 university students. Construct validity was evaluated using exploratory factor analysis (n = 500) and confirmatory factor analysis (n = 500), while temporal stability was assessed through test–retest reliability with a separate subsample (n = 153). The findings demonstrated that the PGAIUS is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing problematic GenAI use behaviors among university students. By providing a psychometrically robust and contextually grounded measurement tool, this study contributes to the literature on digital addiction and the psychosocial impacts of emerging educational technologies.