Development and validation the Problematic ChatGPT Use Scale: a preliminary report

The ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer) has been rapidly developing with a growing number of users. The potential for problematic use/dependence caused by the use of ChatGPT urgently needs to be explored. This study recruited a sample of 1040 Taiwanese adults to develop the Problematic ChatGPT use Scale (PCUS) and investigate the relationships between ChatGPT problematic use and related factors such as age, gender, demographic categories, usage time, user satisfaction rating, and depression. The results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis verified that the PCUS had good factorial/construct validity. Additionally, the PCUS showed high internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Among the factors related to the PCUS scores, usage time and depression showed a positive correlation with PCUS scores. Furthermore, male PCUS scores were significantly higher than female PCUS scores. The PCUS scores showed no significant relationship with age, demographic categories (undergraduate students, graduate students, and working professionals), and various satisfaction evaluations. Limitations and recommendations for future research were also discussed.