Parental neglect and short-form video application addiction in Chinese adolescents: The mediating role of alexithymia and the moderating role of refusal self-efficacy

Abstract

Background: The phenomenon of short-form video application addiction among Chinese adolescents is noteworthy. More research has focused on the influencing factors of internet addiction, but research on specifically exploring the antecedents and influencing mechanisms of short-form video application addiction (a subcategory of internet addiction) among adolescents is insufficient.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the relation between parental neglect and short-form video application addiction among Chinese adolescents and examine the mediating effect of alexithymia and the moderating role of refusal self-efficacy.

Methods: A total of 1203 Chinese adolescents were assigned to complete scales regarding parental neglect, alexithymia, refusal self-efficacy and short-form video application addiction.

Results: Parental neglect was positively related to short-form video application addiction among Chinese adolescents, and alexithymia mediated this link. Furthermore, refusal self-efficacy moderated the direct connection between parental neglect and short-form video application addiction. Specifically, the link between parental neglect and short-form video application addiction became weaker as adolescents' refusal self-efficacy increased.

Conclusion: The experiences of parental neglect are closely related to higher levels of short-form video application addiction among Chinese adolescents. Parental neglect is associated with higher level of short-form video application addiction through stronger alexithymia, and the relationship between parental neglect and short-form video application addiction is attenuated when adolescents have high refusal self-efficacy.

Keywords: Adolescents; Alexithymia; Parental neglect; Refusal self-efficacy; Short-form video application addiction.