Effects of loneliness on short video addiction among college students: the chain mediating role of social support and physical activity

(1) Loneliness significantly positively affected short video addiction. (2) The association between loneliness and short video addiction was independently mediated by social support. (3) Physical activity independently mediated loneliness and short video addiction. (4) Social support and physical activity play a chain mediating role in the association between loneliness and short video addiction. Our research improves the literature on loneliness and short video addiction, enhances comprehension of the impacts, and offers college students effective ways to combat the addiction.