Associations between short video addiction and peer relationships among adolescents: The mediating role of alexithymia and body mass index
Journal of Pediatric Nursing, vol.90, pp.574-585, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 90
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1016/j.pedn.2026.07.021
- Journal Name: Journal of Pediatric Nursing
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
- Page Numbers: pp.574-585
- Keywords: Adolescent, Alexithymia, Child, Friendship qualities, Nurse, Short video addiction
- Inonu University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Objective This study examined the associations between short video addiction, body mass index (BMI), peer relationships, and alexithymia among adolescents, and evaluated the mediating roles of alexithymia and BMI. Method This cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted with 585 high school students selected via cluster sampling in eastern Turkey. Data were collected using a personal information form, BMI information form, Short Video Addiction Scale, Friendship Qualities Scale, and the 20-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale. Analyses included descriptive statistics, group comparisons, Pearson correlation analysis, and serial mediation analysis using Hayes' PROCESS Model 6 with 5000 bootstrap resamples. Results Short video addiction was associated with BMI, alexithymia, and peer relationships. SVAS scores differed across BMI categories; however, this exploratory subgroup result should be interpreted cautiously. Short video addiction was correlated with alexithymia and peer relationships. Serial mediation analysis showed that alexithymia and BMI sequentially mediated the relationship between short video addiction and peer relationships. Conclusions Short video addiction was associated with alexithymia, BMI, and peer relationship quality among adolescents. Alexithymia and BMI showed significant indirect associations in the serial mediation model; however, the cross-sectional design precludes causal or temporal conclusions. Practice implication Nurses and healthcare professionals may consider assessing adolescents' short video use together with emotional awareness, BMI-related indicators, and peer relationship quality within holistic school-health assessments.