Measurement Equivalence and Behavioral Heterogeneity of Problematic Short Video Use: A Cross-Stage and Gender Comparative Study Among Adolescents Based on the Physiological-Psychological-Social Model

This study validates the measurement equivalence of the Problematic Short Video Use Scale (PSVU) through multi-group confirmatory factor analysis among high school ( n = 1277) and college students ( n = 733). The scale demonstrates form, weak, strong, and strict equivalence across educational stages and genders (ΔCFI≤0.01, ΔTLI≤0.05), establishing cross-group stability of a three-factor structure (behavioral change, physiological discomfort, social viscosity). College students scored significantly higher than high school students in total scores (d = 0.55) and across dimensions, particularly in behavioral change (d = 0.70) and physiological discomfort (d = 0.54). Females consistently scored higher than males across all dimensions (d = 0.32-0.52). Based on the theory of planned behavior and social compensation theory, these findings provide methodological support for identifying high-risk groups and developing differentiated intervention strategies for adolescent digital behavior.