The recovery function of parasocial relationships for hopelessness on short-form video platforms: a moderated mediation study
Xie X, Lin Y, Bai Q
BMC public health · 3 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 Natural Science Foundation of China
- University or hospital
- Communication University of China
- University or hospital
- Postdoctoral Research Support Program at the Communication University of China
- Grants
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (72304018); National Natural Science Foundation of China (71633001)
Based on 3 listed funder(s) and full-text disclosure statement.
Publication
- Published
- 2025-10-30 · BMC Public Health · vol. 25 · issue 1 · p. 3668
- Publisher
- BioMed Central
- Cited
- 5 citations · more than 100% of similar papers · 33.5× the field average
- Impact
- Top 10% most cited in its field
- References
- 63 works
- Access
- Open access (journal) · CC-BY
- Research areas
- Media Influence and Health · Mind wandering and attention · Humor Studies and Applications
- Keywords
- parasocial relationships, hopelessness, short video platforms, perceived similarity, self-identity, well-being, social media use, moderated mediation
- MeSH
- humans, self concept, interpersonal relations, adolescent, adult, middle aged, china, female, male, young adult, social media, surveys and questionnaires, mediation analysis
3 authors
From CN
- Xinzhou XiePeking University
- Yanjun LinState Key Laboratory of Media Convergence and Communication; Communication University of China
- Qiyu Bai · correspondingPeking University
Abstract
Background
Researchers have long examined the relationship between media use and negative psychological states. However, the correlation between hopelessness, parasocial relationships, and self-identity/ well-being on short-form video platforms is unknown. Additionally, the perceived similarity's role in moderating these relationships has not been established.
Methods
Drawing on the theoretical model for the development of parasocial relationships, we tested and confirmed the validity of a moderated mediation model, demonstrating how individuals experiencing hopelessness may obtain self-identity and well-being via the mediation of parasocial relationships and the moderation of perceived similarities on short-form video platforms.
Results
The results of a survey among 2,902 users of short-form video platforms in China indicated that parasocial relationships mediated the relationship between hopelessness and self-identity/well-being. Perceived similarities had a significant moderation effect on the relationship between hopelessness and PSR and the indirect effect of perceived similarities on self-identity (or well-being).
Conclusion
Users on short-form video platforms can autonomously derive positive health effects (self-identity/well-being) via PSRs. Perceived similarity exerted a moderating effect on the relationship between hopelessness and PSRs among individuals on short-form video platforms: the positive relationship between hopelessness and PSR is stronger for individuals with higher perceived similarities.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY).
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