Digital Flourishing: Conceptualizing and Assessing Positive Perceptions of Mediated Social Interactions

Authors

Sophie H. Janicke-Bowles, Chapman UniversityFollow
Tess M. Buckley, Chapman University
Rikishi T. Rey, Clemson University
Tayah Renea Wozniak, Concordia University Irvine
Adrian Meier, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nurnberg
Anna Lomanowska, Toronto General Hospital University Health Network

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-10-2023

Abstract

Recent research started to apply concepts of well-being to the context of computer mediated communication (e.g., social media, instant messaging). While much research investigates negative perceptions of mediated social interactions (e.g., “problematic” or “addictive” social media use), a multi-dimensional measure that taps into users? positive perceptions is sorely lacking. The present research therefore develops the first comprehensive measure of digital flourishing, defined as positive perceptions of mediated social interactions. Building on a qualitative pre-study that aided the construction of the Digital Flourishing Scale (DFS), Study 1 (N = 474) employed exploratory factor analysis to reveal five subdimensions of digital flourishing. The preregistered Study 2 (N = 438) confirmed these five dimensions, yielding five reliable items per subscale and initial construct validity with three psychological needs from self-determination theory (SDT; competence, autonomy, relatedness) which were used as an underlying well-being framework for the development of the DFS. The preregistered Study 3 generated further construct validity by directly relating DFS to well-being. The scale is relevant for researchers and practitioners alike to better understand how users perceive their mediated interactions to impact mental health and well-being.

Comments

This article was originally published in Journal of Happiness Studies in 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-023-00619-5

Recommended Citation

Janicke-Bowles, S.H., Buckley, T.M., Rey, R. Meier, A., & Lomanowska, A. (2023). Digital flourishing: Conceptualizing and assessing positive perceptions of mediated social interactions. Journal of Happiness Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-023-00619-5

Copyright

The authors

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.