Heterogeneity in Short Video Addiction and Its Association with Inattention and Negative Emotions Among College...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Short video addiction (SVA) is a growing public health concern among college students.
• Previous research has overlooked the heterogeneity of SVA and its underlying mechanisms.
• Understanding distinct SVA subtypes is crucial for effective intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify distinct subtypes of short video addiction (SVA) in college students.
• To investigate the mediating role of inattention (IA) in the relationship between SVA subtypes and negative emotions (anxiety, depression).

Main Methods:

• A multicentre online survey of college students was conducted.
• Latent profile analysis was used to identify SVA subtypes.
• The mediating effect of inattention (IA) on the SVA-emotion link was examined.

Main Results:

• Three SVA subtypes were identified: 'Healthy short video use' (8.9%), 'Short video dependence' (55.8%), and 'Short video addiction' (35.3%).
• Significant differences in inattention (IA), anxiety, and depression were observed across subtypes.
• Inattention (IA) fully mediated the relationship between SVA and anxiety, and partially mediated the relationship with depression.

Conclusions:

• SVA is a heterogeneous phenomenon, not a monolithic condition.
• Inattention (IA) plays a critical role in the negative mental health outcomes associated with SVA.
• Interventions targeting attention function may be effective in managing SVA-related psychological distress.