Parasocial interaction and problematic use of short-form video applications: unveiling the mediating mechanism
Huang Q, Lei S, Chen Z
Frontiers in psychology · 0 citations
How it was studied
- Design
- Cross-sectional study (classified by our AI screen)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
- Government
- National Social Science Fund of China
- Grants
- National Social Science Fund of China (19CXW029)
Based on 1 listed funder(s) and full-text disclosure statement.
Publication
- Published
- 2025-07-14 · Front Psychol · vol. 16 · p. 1584685
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media
- Cited
- 3 citations · more than 94% of similar papers · 4.4× the field average
- Impact
- Top 10% most cited in its field
- References
- 68 works
- Access
- Open access (journal) · CC-BY
- Research areas
- Flow Experience in Various Fields · Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts · Media Influence and Health
- Keywords
- parasocial interaction, vloggers, flow experience, fear of missing out, positive reinforcement, serial mediation, social media use, well-being
3 authors
From CN, SG
- Qing HuangZhejiang University
- Sihan LeiNational University of Singapore; Zhejiang University
- Zhuo Chen · correspondingPeking University
Abstract
Introduction
Problematic use of short-form video applications (SVA) has posed significant challenges to individuals' wellbeing in recent years. This study examines how parasocial interaction-a one-sided and imagined emotional engagement with vloggers-contributes to problematic SVA use.
Methods
Based on the socio-psychological perspective and informed by the positive reinforcement and compensatory use approaches, the research explores how flow experience and fear of missing out mediate this association. An online survey was conducted among SVA users (N = 407). The collected dataset was analyzed using SPSS PROCESS Macro model 6 to test a serial mediation model.
Results
Results support the mediation model, indicating that the reinforcement of positive feelings and the compensatory motivation for alleviating negative emotions jointly lead to the problematic behaviors.
Discussion
The findings offer valuable insights into the socio-psychological processes underlying problematic SVA use and suggest potential intervention strategies to promote healthy usage of SVA.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY).
Community trust
Loading…
How much do you trust this study's findings?
Comments
Sign in to rate, comment on or flag this study.Sign inSomething wrong here?
Flag this study if its information, labels or funding look wrong. An editor reviews every flag.
Sign in to rate, comment on or flag this study.Sign inEducational information about published research. Not medical advice, and not a recommendation to start or stop anything.