A cross-national study on the excessive use of short-video applications among college students

• Published in: Computers in human behavior Vol. 145; p. 107752
• Main Authors: Zhang, Ning, Hazarika, Bidyut, Chen, Kuanchin, Shi, Yinan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2023
• Subjects: Cross-national; Excessive use; I-PACE; Media dependence theory; Short-video apps; Uses and gratifications theory; Uses and gratifications theory; Media dependence theory; Excessive use; Short-video apps; I-PACE; Cross-national
• ISSN: 0747-5632
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2023.107752

With the proliferation of short-video apps in life, excessive use has become prevalent and caused significant negative consequences among college students. Short-videos present several differences from traditional social media and games by engaging users in short sessions that allows one to easily manage withdrawal and perform work/play in parallel. As withdrawal and the need for more excessive time characterize key elements of traditional internet and social media addiction, findings from studies surrounding non-short video platforms may not readily apply. These problems call for a renewed study focusing on short-video specific characteristics in order to be relevant. Consequently, this study expands the I-PACE model with individual motivational factors elucidating how the excessive use of short-video apps is formed. A representative sample of college students was recruited from China and United States to present a cross-culture perspective on the relationship between motivation and excessive use. This study contributes to the literature by empirically verifying a theoretical model on short-video apps and by offering useful implications for managing excessive use behavior. •Uncovers the motivational factors and construct relationships specifically tailored toward short-video apps.•Extended I-PACE model and shed light on the excessive use processes•Identified the substantial effects of culture differences on excessive use.