Shielding Against Information Overload in the Post-Pandemic Era: The Protective Chain of Family Cohesion,...

Amid the uncertainties of the post-pandemic era, there has been a notable rise in information addiction among individuals, which may function as a coping mechanism in response to perceived situational threats. Family cohesion can function as a protective factor against internet addiction. However, the mechanism by which family cohesion mitigates internet addiction remains largely undiscovered. The study aimed to reveal the role of family cohesion in increasing information addiction behavior and the mediating effects of mindfulness and anxiety in this epidemic. A total of 1043 college students completed an online questionnaire including the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACESIII), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), and Information Addiction Scale. (1) Family cohesion and information addiction exhibited a negative correlation; (2) mindfulness and anxiety functioned as mediators within this association; (3) stronger family cohesion was predictive of reduced information addiction behavior through a chain mediating effect, whereby mindfulness negatively predicted anxiety. These findings substantiate the study's theoretical framework, underscoring the interconnected nature of information addiction during crises.