From attachment anxiety to short video addiction: the roles of attentional control and alexithymia

Introduction Short video addiction is a prevalent behavioral phenomenon among young adults, but its underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Guided by attachment theory, this study examined associations between attachment anxiety, attentional control, alexithymia, and short video addiction. Methods A total of 342 Chinese university students completed self-report measures assessing attachment anxiety, attentional control, alexithymia, and short video addiction. Mediation analyses were conducted to investigate the indirect associations between attachment anxiety and addictive tendencies through attentional control and alexithymia. Results Attachment anxiety was positively associated with higher levels of short video addiction. Indirect associations were observed via two pathways: lower attentional control and higher alexithymia. Additionally, a sequential association was identified, whereby lower attentional control was linked to higher alexithymia, which in turn was related to stronger addictive tendencies. Discussion These findings provide an integrative framework describing how attachment-related vulnerabilities relate to cognitive and emotional characteristics associated with short video addiction. The results highlight potential factors to consider in strategies aimed at preventing or addressing addictive behaviors among young adults.