Digital Well-Being Scale Validity and Reliability Study

Abstract

The aim of this study is to develop a reliable and valid scale that aims to measure the hedonic and oedonomic state of happiness of individuals who use digital environments and technologies while using these environments and arising from their use. Digital well-being describes the subjective well-being of individuals in a social environment where digital media and technology are ubiquitous. In this context, a general framework for the link between digital media and technology use and well-being is presented. This framework attempts to identify three important constructs and their interconnections: digital media and technology tools, harms/hedonic happiness and eudonomic happiness. Individuals' digital use story emerges within socio-cultural and technical conditions, shaping environmental conditions. However, it usually causes simultaneous or prolonged harm and benefit. By analysing the studies in domestic and foreign literature, 140 antecedent items were prepared, grouped and transformed into scale statements and 21 items were determined. The scale was applied to 367 digital technology users. As a result of exploratory factor analysis, 16 items grouped in 5 factors and having sufficient factor loadings (>.40) were selected. The construct validity test for whether the scale consisting of 16 items in total measures a general construct (digital well-being) and five sub-dimensions named by experts (personal satisfaction, awareness, safe (responsible) behaviour, personal relaxation, negative emotions) was conducted using confirmatory factor analysis. Spearman Brown, Guttmann Split Half and Cronbach Alpha values were calculated for the reliability of the whole scale and its sub-dimensions. The Digital Well-Being Scale (DWBS), which was determined to be valid and reliable in the analyses, consisting of five sub-factors and 16 items, is intended to be a scale that fills the gap in the literature, can be developed and used. It is important that future studies on digital well-being prioritise identification, measurement and theory development.