The Role of Thought Suppression in the Relationship between Problematic Short Video Use and Depression

This research aimed to explore the association between problematic short video use and depression in university students, with a particular focus on the mediating influence of thought suppression. A questionnaire-based study was conducted using random sampling among 413 university students across multiple provinces and cities in China. The assessment tools included the Problematic Short Video Use Questionnaire, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and the Chinese version of the White Bear Suppression Inventory (WBSI). Findings revealed that problematic short video usage significantly predicted higher levels of depression (β=0.482, t =11.167, p <0.001). Additionally, thought suppression played a mediating role, accounting for 50.62% of the overall relationship, while the direct effect of problematic short video use constituted 49.38%. These results suggest that problematic engagement with short videos not only directly influences depressive symptoms but also indirectly intensifies these symptoms through enhanced thought suppression. This study emphasizes the psychological risks associated with excessive short video use and highlights thought suppression as a crucial factor, providing valuable insights for developing targeted interventions for depression among university students.