The effect of digital obesity and phubbing level on life satisfaction: latent profile analysis

In this study, the effects of individuals’ digital obesity and phubbing behaviors on their life satisfaction were investigated by latent profile analysis (LPA) method. LPA is a statistical technique used to identify unobserved subgroups within a population based on individuals’ responses to various observed variables.

The present study was conducted in a correlational cross-sectional descriptive design between November 2023- January 2024. Digital obesity scale, phubbing scale, life satisfaction scale were used in this study.

As a result of LPA, Class 1 (Low Digital Addicts) has the lowest arithmetic mean in all indicators. When life satisfaction was analyzed on the basis of the classes, it was found out that Class 2 (High Digital Addicts), which was collected in the group with high levels of digital obesity and phubbing, had lower life satisfaction. Considering the demographic levels of individuals according to class level, it was concluded that high digital addiction was more common among individuals with secondary and postgraduate education.

In the present study, two classes were found as a result of LPA. In the analysis, Class 1(Low Digital Addicts) was found to have the lowest arithmetic mean in all indicators. On the other hand, when life satisfaction was analyzed according to the classes, it was detected that Class 2 (High Digital Addicts) life satisfaction was lower in the group with high levels of digital obesity and phubbing. In the study, the life satisfaction of class 1, which is characterized as low digital addicts, was found to be higher. Longitudinal studies on digital addictions affecting life satisfaction are recommended.