“I Can’t Get Rid of the Bad News…!” Doomscrolling and Subjective Vitality: Serial Mediation by Rumination and Hope

In the digital age, individuals are increasingly exposed to negative online content, contributing to the widespread behavior known as doomscrolling. Doomscrolling may negatively affect cognitive and emotional processes, as well as psychological variables such as rumination, hope, and subjective vitality. The present study examined the serial mediating roles of rumination and hope in the relationship between doomscrolling and subjective vitality among 324 adults (M = 35.24, SD = 10.44) from different regions of Türkiye. Structural equation modeling revealed that doomscrolling indirectly decreased subjective vitality through increased rumination and reduced hope. Specifically, higher levels of doomscrolling were associated with greater rumination, which in turn diminished hope and subjective vitality. These findings suggest that repetitive negative thought patterns and decreased belief in future goals may undermine well-being. Strengthening hope and adopting digital self-regulation strategies—such as limiting news exposure, taking social media breaks, and practicing digital detox—may serve as protective factors against the detrimental effects of doomscrolling.