Validation and network structure of the strengths use scale for Chinese adolescents (SUS-Teen) with panel data

Efforts have been made to understand strengths use in adults; however, tools and its structure studies for adolescents are lacking. This study aimed to validate the psychometric properties and network structure of the Chinese Strengths Use Scale-Teenagers version (SUS-Teen) among adolescents. A total of 1642 middle school students (653 juniors, Mage =13.67 ± 0.33 at T1, 54.45% female; 971 seniors, Mage = 16.42 ± 0.35 at T1, 50.36% female) were invited to participate in three-wave surveys for 1 year. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses identified a 12-item single-factor solution representing the SUS-Teen. The SUS-Teen showed longitudinal measurement invariance across groups by gender and age, with scale invariance results. The estimates of reliability and validity based on the internal structure were supported. The study of cross-sectional and cross-lagged network analyses revealed centrality items of the scale. This suggests that persistence, intention, and situational adaptability are key triggers of effective strength application in adolescents.