The Role of Emotional Reactivity, State Dissociation and Emotional Avoidance in Problematic Binge-Scrolling: A Moderated Mediation Analysis

Lange, Niklas Benedikt (2025) The Role of Emotional Reactivity, State Dissociation and Emotional Avoidance in Problematic Binge-Scrolling: A Moderated Mediation Analysis. Research Master thesis, Research Master.

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Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate whether emotional reactivity predicts problematic scrolling. We hypothesized that this relationship would be mediated by increases in state dissociation during a binge-scrolling task and that this pathway would be moderated by avoidance of negative emotions. A total of 283 international university students participated in a 60-minute binge-scrolling task on TikTok and completed a follow-up questionnaire 30 days later. Although emotional reactivity significantly predicted problematic scrolling symptom severity at follow-up, the hypothesized moderated mediation model was not supported. However, exploratory analyses revealed that immersion during scrolling partially mediated the relationship between emotional reactivity and problematic scrolling symptom severity. These findings suggest that individuals with heightened emotional reactivity may be especially vulnerable to problematic scrolling, possibly through mechanisms other than dissociation. Future research should continue to explore how immersion and dissociation differentially contribute to compensatory online behaviors. Keywords: emotional reactivity, state dissociation, problematic social media use, binge-scrolling, immersion, TikTok, behavioral addiction

Item Type:	Thesis (Research Master)
Supervisor name:	Daniels, J.K.
Degree programme:	Research Master
Differentiation route:	Mental health: perspectives from Neuro- and Clinical Psychology [Research Master]
Date Deposited:	23 Jul 2025 10:27
Last Modified:	20 Aug 2025 08:53
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5703

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