The relationship between problematic mobile phone use and meaning in life among adolescents: a latent profile analyses

Purpose: This study utilized Latent Profile Analysis to identify distinct profiles of meaning in life (MiL) among adolescents. Additionally, it aimed to investigate the relationships and specific impacts of sociodemographic variables and problematic mobile phone use on these identified profiles. Methods: A total of 989 adolescents participated in this study, completing the Meaning in Life Questionnaire, Self-rating Questionnaire for Adolescent Problematic Mobile Phone Use, and sociodemographic questions. Latent Profile Analysis was used to differentiate between groups exhibiting distinct classes of meaning in life. Multinomial logistic regression analysis were employed to investigate the influence of various factors on these classes. Results: Latent profile analysis identified three distinct classes of meaning in life based on meaning in life questionnaire scores: low presence and search group (8.5%), high presence and search group (31.4%), and average presence and search group (60.1%). Multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that problematic mobile phone use negatively affects latent classes of meaning in life among adolescents in the dimension of physical and psychological effects (p < 0.05). Furthermore, among sociodemographic variables, age, gender and left-behind experience and parents’ marital relationship found to be influencing factors across the three latent classes (p < 0.05). Discussion: Our findings highlight significant heterogeneity in latent classes of meaning in life among adolescents. This underscores the need for tailored intervention plans based on their specific categorical characteristics. Addressing the influence of problematic mobile phone use and other relevant factors should be crucial considerations when promoting meaning in life development among adolescents.