The Impact of Short Video Addiction on College Students' Mental Health: The Moderating Role of Core Self-Evaluations

In recent years, the trend of short video addiction among college students has become increasingly serious, leading to a growing number of associated issues that urgently require resolution. This study aims to investigate the impact of short video addiction on the mental health of college students, incorporating the variable of core self-evaluations to analyze its role within this relationship. Finally, corresponding and reasonable suggestions are proposed. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 1,425 college students using the Short Video Addiction Scale, the Core Self-Evaluations Scale, and the Depression and Anxiety subscales of the SCL-90. The findings indicate that short video addiction is positively correlated with depression and anxiety; core self-evaluations play a moderating role between short video addiction and depression/anxiety. Short video addiction has a negative impact on the mental health of college students. However, core self-evaluations to some extent buffer this negative influence and help maintain their psychological well-being.