The values of Generation Z were examined with the “Üsküdar Life Meaning and Purposes Scale” (ÜSYAŞAM) developed by Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, and Faculty of Communication Lecturer Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aylin Tutgun Ünal. According to the results, Generation Z men's life meaning and purpose perception scores were found to be significantly higher than women's. On the other hand, the life meaning and purpose perceptions of Generation Z members who connect to social media for less than 3 hours a day were also found to be high.
Generation Z's perception level of life meaning and purpose was found to be 'moderate'
The research examining Generation Z's perceptions of life meaning and purpose was conducted by Üsküdar Üniversitesi Institute of Social Sciences Master's Student Ender Kardelen Güler, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aylin Tutgun Ünal, and Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan. In the study, Generation Z's life meaning and purposes were measured using the ÜSYAŞAM Scale and a survey containing various questions.
A total of 149 Generation Z members participated in the study, 90 (%60.4) women and 59 (%39.6) men. In the research conducted with a random sampling method, 82.6% of Generation Z were found to be under 18 years old, and 17.4% were 18 years and older. It was revealed that 83.2% had a high school education or below, while 16.8% were continuing university education. In the study, 72.5% of Generation Z's perception level of life meaning and purpose was found to be 'moderate', 24.2% 'high'; and 4% 'low'.
In the research, Generation Z's values were examined according to different characteristics
Generation Z's perception levels of life meaning and purpose were examined according to various characteristics. Significant differences emerged in the study based on gender, social media connection time, whether filters were used before sharing photos on social media, the most frequently used social media application, thoughts on marriage and family institutions, and religious belief.
Those who connect for less than 3 hours have high perceptions of life meaning and purpose
As a result of the conducted research, striking conclusions about Generation Z were reached. The survey results showed that Generation Z men's life meaning and purpose perception scores were significantly higher than women's. Generation Z women, on the other hand, had low perceptions of life meaning and purpose.
Generation Z members who connect to social media for less than 3 hours a day were found to have high perceptions of life meaning and purpose; while Generation Z members who connect to social media for more than 3 hours a day had low perceptions of life meaning and purpose.
While Generation Z members who use filters before sharing photos on social media were found to have low perceptions of life meaning and purpose, Generation Z members who do not use filters before sharing photos on social media had higher perceptions of life meaning and purpose.
Generation Z members who use YouTube were found to have high perceptions of life meaning and purpose; while Generation Z members who use Instagram had low perceptions of life meaning and purpose. It was stated that YouTube is, in a way, a source of life meaning and purpose for Generation Z.
Generation Z achieved the highest rate in fulfilling religious requirements
According to the survey results, in Generation Z's religious belief and understanding of life, the highest rate was the option 'I fulfill the requirements of my religion' with 106 points; while the lowest life meaning and purpose perception level was the option "I am not a believer" with 49 points.
According to the research findings, values and behavioral gains such as family values, spirituality, and face-to-face communication were found to positively affect Generation Z's perceptions of life meaning and purpose.
What is the ÜSYAŞAM Scale?
The Üsküdar Life Meaning and Purposes Scale (ÜSYAŞAM) was developed in 2022 by Prof. Dr. Tarhan and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aylin Tutgun Ünal. The scale, consisting of a total of 28 items across 7 sub-dimensions, was prepared in a 5-point Likert type.
Items 1, 2, 4, 26 within the scale measure concrete meaning skills, items 5, 6, 7 measure belief in death, items 8, 9, 10, 17 measure gratification postponement skills, items 11, 19, 20, 22, 23, 28 measure abstract meaning skills, items 12, 13, 14, 15 measure internal control skills, items 16, 18, 27 measure medium and long-term planning skills, and items 21, 24, 25 measure ego ideal perception.
Items included in the scale:
1. I dream of being rich.
2. I dream of being famous.
3. My biggest wish is to be healthy above all else.
4. Holding a high position is very important.
5. I don't really care how I will be remembered after I die.
6. What will be written on my tombstone after my life ends is important to me.
7. I pay attention to the steps I take to leave a good story behind me.
8. I prefer to live well today rather than suffer to invest in the future.
9. When I encounter difficulties, I don't push myself too hard; I change the subject.
10. I avoid goals for which I would have to endure hardship.
11. The concepts of “Flag”, “Homeland”, “God” are of great importance to me.
12. I don't like waiting for greater gains; getting immediate results is more important to me.
13. I cannot control my shopping addiction.
14. I fall in love easily.
15. When I get bored while studying or working, I immediately quit.
16. When doing tasks I don't like, I can continue by thinking about what they will bring me in the medium and long term.
17. I don't want to go through difficulties to have more material possessions.
18. I dream of being an explorer, inventor, or Nobel laureate scientist who benefits humanity.
19. For me, my own needs are more prioritized than national values.
20. For me, my own needs are more prioritized than religious matters.
21. Being successful in something I put effort into is more important than human relationships.
22. I believe in the saying, “He who loves his homeland most does his duty best.”
23. I prefer not to think about death and what comes after death.
24. I prefer to be admired and envied rather than being useful to society.
25. If the goal is to be more successful and happy, neglecting my family doesn't bother me too much.
26. I care a lot about others speaking highly of me.
27. I like taking some risks and doing new and different things.
28. My own happiness and desires are more important than many other things.
To examine the Research on Generation Z's Values with the Üsküdar Life Meaning and Purposes Scale in detail:
BAYTEREK | International Academic Research Journal