Short video platforms (TikTok, Reels, Shorts) are applications that continuously stimulate individuals' attention and concentration systems through rapid, intense, and rewarding stimuli (Kurtça & Laçin, 2025). Watching short videos allows individuals to escape from stress and alleviate negative emotions, while providing quick access to information tailored to their preferences with low cognitive engagement (Dong et al., 2023). With the rapid global spread of short video applications, people's lives, social interactions, and entertainment are increasingly influenced by these platforms (Qu et al., 2023; Zhao & Kou, 2024). University students, representing the youth demographic, are among the most frequent users of short video applications (Cheng et al., 2023). Excessive and uncontrolled use of short video applications can lead to various negative effects, including the development of behavioral addictions (Ye et al., 2022; Zhang et al., 2019). Longitudinal studies reveal that in both Eastern and Western societies, the fast-paced content streams of short video platforms reinforce compulsive use and attention-related difficulties (van Driel et al., 2022; Zhao & Wagner, 2023). In a study conducted in Türkiye, it is stated that short video addiction is associated with distractibility and impulsivity (Kurtça & Laçin, 2025). These findings point to the importance and necessity of examining the relationships between short video addiction, mind wandering, and self-control within a model framework.

The results of the study conducted by Yan et al. (2024) show that an increasing trend toward mobile phone short video addiction can negatively affect self-control and reduce executive control in the area of attention functions. In this context, self-control is defined as the ability to manage one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors to ensure harmony between oneself and one's environment (Nebioğlu et al., 2012). Self-control plays a central role in most decision-making processes and human behavior (David & Roberts, 2025). Volitional processes facilitate self-controlled behavior and involve learned metacognitive strategies such as planning and attention redirection. In contrast, impulsive processes weaken self-controlled behavior and involve reward sensitivity, emotion seeking, and desires (Duckworth & Steinberg, 2015). Watching short TikTok videos, typically 30-60 seconds long, weakens self-control, which is associated with increased phone addiction (David & Roberts, 2025). A study conducted with Chinese adolescents found that increased addiction to short videos was positively correlated with decreased attention control (Ye et al., 2025). These results indicate that although excessive use of short video applications has negative effects on individuals, users spend significant amounts of time on these platforms, and strict self-regulation of usage time is needed (Ye et al., 2025). 

Another variable thought to be linked to short video addiction and self-control is mind wandering. Mind wandering is described as individuals engaging in various inner thoughts, dreams, and emotions that are irrelevant to the task at hand rather than paying attention to the task at hand (Smallwood & Schooler, 2006). Mind wandering has many effects on individuals. A study by Li et al. (2025) revealed that mind wandering is linked to hyperactivity-impulsivity and internet addiction. Mobile phone addiction and fatigue appear to be linked to individuals experiencing mind wandering (Lian et al., 2022). Studies have shown that individuals who experience flow while watching short videos tend to engage in more mind-wandering (Yayla & Çelikci, 2025). It has been found that individuals with short video addiction may have more difficulty maintaining attention, experience more attention deficits while watching short videos, and their concentration may be impaired due to the intervention (Chen et al., 2023). 

Because of these reasons, the purpose of this study is to examine the mediating role of mind wandering in the relationship between self-control and short video addiction in university students. 

Research Design The study is structured using a correlational design. A correlational design is used to explore relationships among two or more variables, assess whether variables mutually influence each other, and investigate their combined effects (Creswell, 2017). Structural equation modeling (SEM) is utilized to analyze the relationships among these variables and to evaluate the model's validity, which is constructed based on the theoretical framework. In this study, short video addiction was identified as the dependent variable, self-control as the independent variable, and mind wandering as the mediating variable. The mediating model constructed with these three variables was examined within the framework of structural equation modeling. Participants It was conducted with a sample of 280 Turkish university students from different universities and departments, selected through convenience sampling. Research Instruments Data were collected using a personal information form, the Short Video Addiction Scale, the Brief Multidimensional Self-Control Scale, and the Mind Wandering Scale. Short Video Addiction Scale: The scale was developed by Ye et al. (2022). The scale was adapted to Turkish by Türk & Yıldırım (2024). The scale consists of 10 items and a single sub-dimension. The increase in the score obtained from the scale indicates that the individual's short video addiction increases. The Cronbach alpha internal consistency reliability coefficient was .82. In this study, the Cronbach alpha was .85. Brief Multidimensional Self-Control Scale: The scale was developed by Nilsen et al. (2020) and adapted to Turkish by Koç et al. (2023). The scale consists of 8 items and 2 sub-dimensions (inhibition and initiation). The Cronbach alpha internal consistency reliability coefficient was found to be .70. In this study, the Cronbach alpha value was calculated as .75. Mind Wandering Questionnaire: The scale was developed by Mrazek et al. (2013). The scale was adapted to Turkish culture by Sezgin (2020). The five items (e.g., "I cannot give my full attention while doing my work") are rated on a six-point scale from 1 (never) to 6 (always) with scores ranging from 5 to 30. The higher the score, the greater the mind wandering. The Cronbach alpha internal consistency reliability coefficient was .75. In this study, the Cronbach alpha value was .87. Analysis Procedure Independent group t-tests, One-Way ANOVA, Pearson Product-Moment Correlation, Path Analysis, and Bootstrapping Analysis were used to analyze the data.

The results indicate significant relationships between university students' short video addiction, mind wandering, and self-control levels. Moreover, based on the structural equation model developed, mind wandering was found to play a partial mediating role in the relationship between self-control and short video addiction. These results suggest that university students with lower self-control experience more mind wandering and that individuals with both lower self-control and frequent mind wandering have higher levels of short video addiction. According to one-way ANOVA results, individuals who use smartphones for 7 hours or more have a higher incidence of short video addiction compared to those who use them for 2-3 hours or 4-6 hours. Furthermore, individuals who use smartphones for 2-3 hours have higher self-control compared to those who use them for 4-6 hours or more, and those who use them for 7 hours or more. In terms of mind wandering, individuals who used smartphones for 7 hours or more a day had higher levels than those who used them for 2-3 or 4-6 hours. According to the results of the independent sample t-test, it was found that individuals' levels of short video addiction, mind wandering, and self-control did not differ according to gender and income level. The findings are discussed and interpreted in the context of the relevant literature. These results show that short video addiction, which has become widespread worldwide, is an important issue that needs to be studied, particularly among university students, representing a young population. In experimental studies aimed at reducing individuals' short video addiction, attempting to enhance their self-control and attention levels may be effective.

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