Anti-distraction learning: focused attention, task engagement, and flow under cognitive interference

= 647). Cognitive interference and environmental noise were modeled as contextual conditions, focused attention and task engagement as mediating mechanisms, and flow experience as the outcome variable. Hierarchical regression analysis, bootstrap mediation tests, and alternative model specifications were implemented within a scripted analytical environment to evaluate the proposed relationships. The results indicate that both cognitive interference and environmental noise remain significantly associated with flow experience even after attentional and behavioral regulatory mechanisms are included in the model. Focused attention shows the strongest association with flow and mediates the relationship between cognitive interference and immersive experience, suggesting that attentional stabilization plays a central role in sustaining immersion under disruptive conditions. Task engagement contributes to continued task activity but shows a smaller and negative indirect pathway to flow, indicating that behavioral persistence does not necessarily translate into experiential immersion. In addition, the sequential mediation pathway linking interference, focused attention, task engagement, and flow experience is not supported. Taken together, these findings suggest that immersive experience can persist even under continuing disruption. Rather than depending solely on distraction-free environments, flow in contemporary learning contexts may emerge through repeated stabilization of attention during ongoing interruptions. Attentional regulation preserves experiential continuity, while task engagement sustains behavioral continuity, together allowing immersion to remain achievable in interference-rich environments.