In an era where digital media consumption is deeply woven into the daily fabric of adolescent life, new research sheds critical light on the psychological factors influencing short video addiction among young individuals. A recent study conducted by Li, Zhang, and Ren explores the complex interplay between maternal psychological aggression and Chinese adolescents’ propensity for short video addiction, bringing to the forefront nuanced psychological dynamics that have tangible impacts on youth behavior and mental health.
This pioneering investigation delves into how maternal psychological aggression—a form of verbal and emotional hostility from mothers—serves as a significant predictor of adolescents’ addictive behaviors toward short video platforms, which have surged in popularity globally. Short videos, with their quick, engaging, and often addictive nature, pose risks beyond mere screen time concerns, infiltrating the emotional and relational spheres of adolescents more deeply than previously recognized.
Crucially, the study introduces the mediating factor of mother-adolescent attachment, revealing that the quality of this intimate relationship influences how psychological aggression translates into maladaptive digital behaviors. When maternal psychological aggression undermines emotional bonds, it weakens a core protective factor for adolescents, who may then turn to short video platforms as a compensatory mechanism. These platforms provide instant gratification and social engagement, which can temporarily fill the relational void left by fraught maternal relationships.
Emphasizing the significance of relational frameworks in digital addiction, the researchers also identify the moderating role of peer attachment. Peer relationships can either exacerbate or mitigate the impact of maternal aggression. Adolescents with strong, positive peer attachments demonstrate a buffer against the negative consequences of maternal psychological aggression on their video consumption habits. Conversely, weak or insecure peer relationships compound the risk, increasing vulnerability to addictive behaviors.
The cultural context of this study – focused specifically on Chinese adolescents – adds an additional layer of complexity and importance. In Chinese society, where familial obligations and maternal roles are deeply emphasized, the findings underscore how deviations from supportive maternal behaviors manifest in unique patterns of adolescent digital engagement. This invites further research on cross-cultural variations in digital addiction and the familial determinants that shape it.
Significantly, this research integrates psychological theory with modern behavioral trends, leveraging established attachment theory to conceptualize the pathways from maternal psychological aggression to digital addiction. Attachment theory posits that secure, supportive bonds with caregivers are foundational to healthy emotional regulation and social functioning. When these bonds are compromised, as seen through maternal aggression, adolescents’ coping mechanisms may skew toward maladaptive alternatives such as excessive short video use.
The researchers employed robust methodologies involving standardized psychological assessments and validated measures of both maternal aggression and adolescent attachment styles. This ensures that the results are grounded in rigorous empirical data, providing a reliable foundation for interventions aimed at reducing adolescent digital addiction. The study’s sample size and demographic diversity within the Chinese adolescent population further strengthen the generalizability of the findings.
One of the most innovative aspects of this study is its dual-layered approach: understanding addiction not just as an isolated behavioral issue but as an outcome embedded in relational and social contexts. This is particularly relevant against the backdrop of the contemporary digital landscape, where peer influence and parental relationships continually intersect with technology use.
The implications for mental health practitioners, educators, and policymakers are profound. Interventions to curb adolescent addiction to short videos must extend beyond user education and digital literacy, incorporating family-based approaches that address maternal psychological dynamics. Enhancing mother-adolescent attachment quality emerges as a promising target for reducing reliance on digital escapism.
Moreover, fostering healthy peer relationships can serve as a crucial protective factor. Schools and community programs designed to improve peer attachment and social skills could mitigate some of the negative psychological effects stemming from challenging family environments. This multidimensional strategy aligns with holistic approaches to adolescent mental health and digital wellbeing.
As digital platforms continue to evolve, the addictive potential of short videos remains a growing concern worldwide. The persuasive, algorithm-driven design of these platforms capitalizes on human psychological vulnerabilities, magnifying the impact of familial and social stressors. Thus, understanding the root psychological causes behind addiction facilitates more effective prevention and treatment strategies.
This study also opens the door to further research on the bidirectional nature of these relationships. It raises questions about whether adolescents’ excessive video consumption could in turn affect maternal behaviors and attachment quality, potentially creating cyclical patterns of psychological aggression and addiction. Longitudinal research could clarify these dynamics.
Furthermore, examining paternal psychological aggression and its interaction with maternal influences could deepen the understanding of family dynamics on adolescent behavioral outcomes. The study’s focus on maternal aggression, while crucial, presents an opportunity for expansive future inquiry into broader family systems.
In conclusion, the research by Li, Zhang, and Ren illuminates a critical psychological pathway linking maternal aggression to adolescent short video addiction, mediated by familial attachment and shaped by peer relationships. This nuanced understanding holds promise for developing comprehensive interventions that recognize the intertwined nature of family, peers, and digital behavior in shaping adolescent mental health.
As societies grapple with the challenges presented by rapidly changing digital ecosystems, this study accentuates the need for integrative approaches that address the emotional and relational underpinnings of addictive behaviors in youths. By prioritizing the restoration of healthy attachments and peer connections, stakeholders can better protect adolescents from the potentially damaging effects of short video addiction and its broader psychological ramifications.
Subject of Research: The psychological impact of maternal psychological aggression on Chinese adolescent addiction to short videos, including mediation by mother-adolescent attachment and moderation by peer attachment.
Article Title: The Impact of Maternal Psychological Aggression on Chinese Adolescent Short Video Addiction: The Mediating Role of Mother-Adolescent Attachment and the Moderating Role of Peer Attachment.
Article References:
Li, Z., Zhang, X. & Ren, Y. The Impact of Maternal Psychological Aggression on Chinese Adolescent Short Video Addiction: The Mediating Role of Mother-Adolescent Attachment and the Moderating Role of Peer Attachment. Int J Ment Health Addiction (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-025-01578-z
Image Credits: AI Generated
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-025-01578-z
Tags: addictive behaviors in adolescentsadolescent video addictioncompensatory mechanisms in adolescentsdigital media consumption effectsemotional bonds and digital engagementemotional impact of video addictionmaternal psychological aggressionmother-adolescent attachmentparenting styles and youth mental healthpsychological factors in youth behaviorrisks of short video consumptionshort video platforms
