Uncovering latent profiles of ICT self-concept among adults in Germany and their relation with gender

Self-concept related to the use of information and communication technology (ICT-SC) is reflected in how people feel and behave when confronted with digital technologies. Although evidence from variable-centered analyses suggests a hierarchical and multidimensional structure of ICT-SC in heterogeneous populations, it is not yet known whether different profiles of general ICT-SC and specific ICT-SC domains (communicate, process and store, generate content, safe application, solve problems) exist. This study aims to extend previous research using person-centered analyses and to examine whether different profiles of ICT-SC can be identified in a heterogeneous adult population (18–69 years) from Germany and how these profiles relate to gender. Results of a latent profile analysis (German quota sample, N = 369) indicate a reliable three-profile solution. Profile I (n = 48) is characterised by rather low ICT-SC with relative profile strengths in the verbal-interactive domains (communicate, process and store). Profile II (n = 149) is characterised by low to average ICT-SC across ICT-SC domains. Profile III (n = 172) is characterised by high ICT-SC with profile strengths in the technical-analytical domains (safe application, solve problems). Gender did not correlate significantly with profile membership. We discuss the practical implications of the results for ICT-SC interventions and suggest directions for future research.与信息与通信技术使用相关的自我概念（ICT-SC）体现为个体在面对数字技术时的感受与行为表现。尽管以变量为中心的分析证据显示，异质性群体中的ICT-SC具有层级化多维度结构，但目前尚不清楚是否存在通用ICT-SC与特定ICT-SC领域（沟通交流、处理与存储、内容生成、安全应用、问题解决）的不同特征群组。本研究旨在拓展以往以个体为中心的分析相关研究，检验德国异质性成年群体（18~69岁）中是否存在不同的ICT-SC特征群组，以及这些群组与性别的关联情况。本研究通过潜在剖面分析（德国配额样本，N=369）得到了稳健的三群组划分结果。群组I（n=48）的ICT-SC整体水平偏低，但在言语互动领域（沟通交流、处理与存储）具有相对优势。群组II（n=149）的各ICT-SC领域水平介于偏低至中等之间。群组III（n=172）的ICT-SC整体水平较高，且在技术分析领域（安全应用、问题解决）具有相对优势。性别与群组归属无显著相关性。本研究讨论了上述结果对ICT-SC干预实践的现实意义，并提出了未来研究的方向。