How do core personality traits influence short video dependence among Chinese college students? Evidence from a serial mediation analysis under the I-PACE model

Background With the widespread adoption of short videos, college students have developed an unprecedented level of dependence, posing significant challenges to society. Existing research on short-video dependency (SVD) has primarily focused on behavioral symptoms; however, the role of core personality traits (CPT) and their underlying cognitive–emotional mechanisms in predisposing individuals to SVD remains insufficiently understood. Objective This study aims to examine the relationship between CPT and SVD and to clarify the cognitive-emotional pathways underlying this association by extending the Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution (I-PACE) framework to include perceived self-relatedness (PSR) as an additional mediator. Methods Survey data were collected from 825 Chinese undergraduate students. Structural equation modeling was used to test an enhanced serial mediation model incorporating CPT, fear of missing out (FoMO), perceived self-efficacy (PSE), PSR, and SVD. Results Core personality trait, FoMO, and PSR were correlated with SVD. In contrast, PSE showed an inconsistent mediation pattern, exhibiting a positive bivariate correlation but a negative indirect effect. FoMO, PSE, and PSR significantly mediate the relationship between CPT and SVD. The identification of this inconsistent mediation provides evidence for dual-process competition in short-video use behavior. Conclusion The findings suggest that the risk of SVD is statistically associated with lower levels of FoMO, higher PSE, and regulating exposure to self-relevant content among students. By highlighting the roles of cognitive and emotional factors, this study advances understanding of the antecedents of SVD and offers theoretical and practical implications for future research and intervention strategies.