The effect of digital leisure participation purposes on psychological well-being among Generation Y: the mediating role of flow experience

Background: This study examines the mediating role of flow experience in the relationship between participation purposes in digital leisure activities and psychological well-being. Study also investigates the direct effects of participation purposes on flow experience and the effect of flow experience on psychological well-being. Method: The sample consisted of 291 Generation Y individuals (aged 29–44) selected through purposive sampling, all of whom actively engage with digital platforms during their leisure time. Data were collected using three standardized instruments: the Digital Leisure Participation Purposes Scale (DLPPS), comprising four subdimensions (game, entertainment, socialization, and communication); the Digital Leisure Flow Experience Scale (DLFES), with three subdimensions (experience, activity, and time); and the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS), which has a unidimensional positive structure. Results: Data analysis was conducted in two stages. First, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to validate the measurement models. Second, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine direct and mediating effects. The results indicate that participation purposes in digital leisure activities have significant positive effects on both flow experience (β = 0.914, p < 0.001) and psychological well-being (β = 0.364, p < 0.001). Additionally, flow experience significantly and positively affects psychological well-being (β = 0.405, p < 0.001), confirming its mediating role. Conclusions: The findings suggest that Generation Y individuals strongly integrate digital technologies into their daily lives, and that participation in digital leisure activities enhances psychological well-being through the mediating effect of flow experience. Future research should account for the duration and frequency of digital leisure engagement to mitigate potential risks such as addiction and negative health outcomes.