A self regulatory model of short form video addiction and perceived attention control among Chinese undergraduates

Problematic short-form video (SFV) use has become a growing concern in educational psychology. This cross-sectional survey examined the association between short-form video addiction (SVA) and perceived attention control in 512 Chinese undergraduates. SVA was negatively correlated with perceived attention control ( r = − .450, p < .001). Serial mediation analysis indicated an indirect association through lower self-efficacy and greater academic procrastination (unstandardized indirect effect = − 0.021, 95% CI [ − 0.054, − 0.002]). Boredom proneness moderated the procrastination-perceived attention control association (interaction B = − 0.18, p < .001; index of moderated mediation = − 0.041, 95% CI [ − 0.073, − 0.014]). Exploratory analyses showed that the association was evident for self-reported focusing but not shifting, identified a significant negative quadratic term (standardized beta = − 0.15, p < .001), and distinguished profiles based on SVA and boredom proneness. Taken together, the findings are consistent with a self-regulatory mismatch account and provide a basis for longitudinal research incorporating behavioral attention and objective digital-use measures.