The development of the Problematic Series WatchingScale (PSWS)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The goal of the present study was to create a short ProblematicSeries Watching Scale (PSWS). METHODS: On the basis of the six components model of Griffiths (2005), six items were identifiedcovering all components of problematic series watching. Confirmatoryfactor analyses were carried out on two independent samples (N(1) = 366, N(2) = 752). RESULTS: The PSWS has appropriate factor structure and reliability. Theamount of free time was not, but the series watching time was associatedwith PSWS scores. Women had higher scores than men. DISCUSSION: Before PSWS, no prior scale has been created to measure problematicseries watching. Further research is needed to properly assess itsvalidity and reliability; and for examining whether extensive serieswatching can lead to health-related and psychosocial problems. CONCLUSIONS: In the increasingly digitalized world there are many motivationalforces which encourage people watching online series. In the lightof these changes, research on problematic series watching will beprogressively relevant.