The Mediating Role of Mind Wandering in The Relationship Between Short Video Flow And Happiness in University Students*

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 3 Sayı: 2, 99 - 116, 29.12.2025

İbrahim Erdoğan Yayla , Serhat Çelikci

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18076032

Öz

Achieving and maintaining happiness has always been a matter of curiosity for individuals. Based on this curiosity, this study examined the relationships between some variables that affect the level of happiness in university students. The aim of this study is to examine the mediating role of mind wandering in the relationship between short video flow and happiness in university students. The study group consisted of 335 students, 175 female and 160 male, studying in different departments at Bayburt University. The Short Depression-Happiness Scale, Short Video Flow Scale and Mind Wandering Scale were used as data collection instruments. The relationships between the variables in the study were examined using the Pearson correlation coefficient, and the mediating role of mind wandering was tested within the framework of structural equation modelling using the SPSS PROCESS macro program. As a result of the analysis, it was found that there was a negative relationship between short video flow and happiness, a positive relationship between short video flow and mind wandering, and a negative relationship between mind wandering and happiness. The mediation analysis showed that mind wandering played a significant mediating role in the relationship between short video flow and happiness. The results of the study can contribute to the awareness of digital media use among university students and provide new perspectives for mental health professionals.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Happiness , mind wandering , short video flow , university student.

The Mediating Role of Mind Wandering in The Relationship Between Short Video Flow And Happiness in University Students

Öz

Achieving and maintaining happiness has always been a matter of curiosity for individuals. Based on this curiosity, this study examined the relationships between some variables that affect the level of happiness in university students. The aim of this study is to examine the mediating role of mind wandering in the relationship between short video flow and happiness in university students. The study group consisted of 335 students, 175 female and 160 male, studying in different departments at Bayburt University. The Short Depression-Happiness Scale, Short Video Flow Scale and Mind Wandering Scale were used as data collection instruments. The relationships between the variables in the study were examined using the Pearson correlation coefficient, and the mediating role of mind wandering was tested within the framework of structural equation modelling using the SPSS PROCESS macro program. As a result of the analysis, it was found that there was a negative relationship between short video flow and happiness, a positive relationship between short video flow and mind wandering, and a negative relationship between mind wandering and happiness. The mediation analysis showed that mind wandering played a significant mediating role in the relationship between short video flow and happiness. The results of the study can contribute to the awareness of digital media use among university students and provide new perspectives for mental health professionals.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Happiness , mind wandering , short video flow , university student

Etik Beyan

In this study, all the rules specified in the Directive on Scientific Research and Publication Ethics of Higher Education Institutions were followed. None of the actions described in the guideline under the title "Actions contrary to scientific research and publication ethics" were carried out. The ethics committee approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Bayburt University with the decision dated 12.03.2025 and number 104.

Kaynakça

• Akinci, H., & Durmuş, A. (2024). Does smartphone addiction impact happiness? exploring the mediating roles of belongingness and fear of missing out: a cross-sectional survey from Turkey. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2024.2447008
• Akyıl, Y. (2024). Predictors of university students' happiness levels: empathy and emotional intelligence. Marmara University Atatürk Faculty of Education Journal of Educational Sciences, 59(59), 161-170. https://doi.org/10.15285/maruaebd.1348163
• Akyüz, H., Yaşartürk, F., Aydın, İ., Zorba, E., & Türkmen, M. (2017). The investigation of the relationship between university students’ levels of life quality and happiness. International Journal of Cultural and Social Studies, 3(Special Issue 2), 253-262.
• Asıcı, E., & İkiz, F. (2015). A pathway to happiness: cognitive flexibility. Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Journal of Faculty of Education, 1(35), 191-211.
• Asif, M., & Kazi, S. (2024). Examining the ınfluence of short videos on attention span and its relationship with academic performance. International Journal of Science and Research 13(4), 8. https://doi.org/10.21275/sr24428105200
• Aydın, M., & Egemberdiyeva, A. (2018). An investigation of university students’ resilience levels. Turkish Journal of Education, 3(1), 37-53.
• Beloborodova, P., Dutcher, J. M., Villalba, D. K., Tumminia, M. J., Doryab, A., Creswell, K., ... & Brown, K. W. (2024). College students' daily mind wandering is related to lower social well-being. Journal of American College Health, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2024.2351417
• Büyüköztürk S. (2008). Scientific research methods. Pegem Academy Publishing.
• Cantez, E. (2018). The relationship between happiness, psychological resilience and self-efficacy levels of university students. Aydın Journal of Human and Society, 4(2), 61-76.
• Chen, Y., Li, M., Guo, F., & Wang, X. (2023). The effect of short-form video addiction on users' attention. Behaviour & Information Technology, 42(16), 2893-2910. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2022.2151512
• Crosswell, A. D., Coccia, M., & Epel, E. S. (2020). Mind wandering and stress: When you don't like the present moment. Emotion, 20(3), 403. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000548
• Çelik, E. (2015). Mediating and moderating role of academic self-efficacy in the relationship between student academic support and personal growth initiative. Australian Journal of Career Development, 24(2), 105-113. https://doi.org/10.1177/1038416215583563
• Demir, Y., & Kutlu, M. (2016). Relation between social ınteraction anxiety and happiness: ıntermediary role of solitude among university students. Gazi University Gazi Faculty of Education Journal, 36(1).
• Ding, J., Hu, Z., Zuo, Y., & Xv, Y. (2024). The relationships between short video addiction, subjective well-being, social support, personality, and core self-evaluation: a latent profile analysis. BMC Public Health, 24(1), 3459. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20994-9
• Du, X., Liechty, T., Santos, C. A., & Park, J. (2022). 'I want to record and share my wonderful journey': Chinese Millennials' production and sharing of short-form travel videos on TikTok or Douyin. Current Issues in Tourism, 25(21), 3412-3424. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2020.1810212