From Clicks to Calm: Investigating the Link Between Mindfulness and Digital Hoarding Behavior Among Chinese Youth

Yan Liu,1 Yunlai Liu,2 Yunpeng Feng3 1School of Media and Communication, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Media, Anqing Normal University, Anqing, 246000, People’s Republic of China; 3School of Communication and Media, Guangzhou Huashang College, Guangzhou, 511300, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Yunpeng Feng, School of Communication and Media, Guangzhou Huashang College, Guangzhou, 511300, People’s Republic of China, Tel +8618719800593, Email [email protected]: Digital hoarding refers to the continuous acquisition of digital content and the difficulty in disposing of it. This behavior is increasingly common among today’s youth. This study aims to explore the impact of mindfulness on digital hoarding behavior, investigating self-control as a mediator and upward social comparison via social media as a moderator.Methods: A total of 956 young individuals participated in this cross-sectional study. The research instruments used included the Mindfulness Measure, the Self-Control Scale, the Social Comparison Scale, and the Digital Hoarding Behavior Questionnaire. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. For more complex analyses, we examined the mediating role of self-control and the moderating effects of upward social comparison via social media in the relationship between mindfulness and digital hoarding behavior.Results: 1) Mindfulness significantly negatively predicted digital hoarding. 2) Self-control mediated the relationship between mindfulness and digital hoarding. 3) Upward social comparison via social media moderated the relationship between mindfulness and self-control, specifically the first segment of the mediation pathway.Discussion: This research is pioneering in exploring mindfulness as a protective factor against digital hoarding, offering fresh insights into this nascent field. The findings also suggest prevention and intervention strategies for digital information management disorder in young people.Keywords: social media, digital hoarding, mindfulness, self-control, upward social comparison via social media