Large-scale validation research on instruments measuring problematic social media use (SMU) is scarce. Using a nationally representative sample of 6,626 Dutch adolescents aged 12 to 16 years, the present study examined the psychometric properties of the nine-item Social Media Disorder scale. The structural validity was solid, because one underlying factor was identified, with adequate factor loadings. The internal consistency was good, but the test information was most reliable at moderate to high scores on the scale’s continuum. The factor structure was measurement invariant across different subpopulations. Three subgroups were identified, distinguished by low, medium, and high probabilities of endorsing the criteria. Higher levels of problematic SMU were associated with higher probabilities of mental, school, and sleep problems, confirming adequate criterion validity. Girls, lower educated adolescents, 15-year-olds, and non-Western adolescents were most likely to report problematic SMU. Given its good psychometric properties, the scale is suitable for research on problematic SMU among adolescents.

测量有问题的社交媒体使用 (SMU) 的仪器的大规模验证研究很少。本研究使用具有全国代表性的 6,626 名 12 至 16 岁的荷兰青少年样本，检查了九项社交媒体障碍量表的心理测量特性。结构有效性是可靠的，因为确定了一个潜在因素，并具有足够的因素负载。内部一致性很好，但测试信息在量表连续体中的中等到高分时最可靠。因子结构在不同亚群中是测量不变的。确定了三个亚组，以支持标准的低、中和高概率进行区分。有问题的 SMU 水平越高，出现精神、学校和睡眠问题的概率越高，确认足够的标准效度。女孩、受教育程度较低的青少年、15 岁和非西方青少年最有可能报告有问题的 SMU。鉴于其良好的心理测量特性，该量表适用于青少年问题 SMU 的研究。