Sarabon, Lovro (2025) Task-Induced Dissociation During Binge-Scrolling as a Mediator Between Childhood Maltreatment and Problematic Social Media Use. Master thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Algorithmically curated short-form video platforms (e.g., TikTok) may disrupt attention, awareness, and foster problematic social media use (PSMU). While childhood maltreatment severity (CMS) was shown to exacerbate maladaptive behaviors, its link to PSMU in binge- scrolling contexts remains underexplored. This study examined whether a task-induced increase in dissociation (TID) during binge-scrolling mediates the CMS-PSMU relationship. One hundred and ninety-two emerging adults completed a 60-minute TikTok binge-scrolling task. Dissociation was assessed pre- and post-task, and PSMU severity measured at the 30- day follow-up. Additional measures included trait dissociation, emotional reactivity, and immersion. CMS significantly predicted PSMU severity, marking a novel contribution to the literature on PSMU in a binge-scrolling context. Although TID increased from pre- to post-task, it did not mediate the CMS–PSMU link. Thus, while CMS appears to heighten vulnerability to PSMU, the mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. Notably, immersion during the task was correlated with TID and PSMU severity, suggesting platform design features (e.g., infinite scroll, algorithmic unpredictability) may foster PSMU through states of reduced self- awareness. Present findings propose refinements to digital overuse models by integrating immersion as a distinct pathway to PSMU and highlight the need for interventions that enhance users’ self- monitoring capacities to mitigate PSMU.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Daniels, J.K. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Clinical Forensic Psychology and Victimology (FP) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 23 Jul 2025 09:54 |
| Last Modified: | 23 Jul 2025 09:54 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5688 |
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