Deficits in self-control among excessive short-form video users: Behavioral evidence under short-video contexts

As short-form video platforms continue to expand, excessive short-form video use poses a potential threat to cognitive and behavioral regulation. Previous studies have predominantly employed questionnaires and self-report measures to examine the association between excessive short-form video consumption and trait self-control, while overlooking individuals’ state-level inhibitory control when watching short-form videos. The present study addressed this gap through three integrated studies. Study 1 established that both daily viewing time and overuse severity are negatively correlated with trait self-control. Study 2 employed a classical Go/No-Go paradigm, revealing that individuals with high short-form video dependence exhibit significant deficits in attentional and inhibitory control, characterized by longer reaction times, greater variability in reaction times, lower accuracy of go trials, and reduced sensitivity (d’). Study 3 incorporated short-form video contexts into the Go/No-Go paradigm to test contextual effects. Results demonstrated a generalized performance decline under the video condition, with the high-dependency group exhibiting disproportionately greater impairments in d’, reaction times and reaction time variability. By unveiling how digital environments capture cognitive resources, this research highlights a vicious cycle of self-regulation failure, suggesting that effective recovery from short-form video dependence requires addressing both stable personality traits and situational cognitive vulnerabilities.