Tong Wu

With the rapid growth of short-video platforms such as TikTok and Douyin, user engagement behaviors have become key to understanding the psychological outcomes of social media use. Guided by uses and gratifications theory and the social comparison framework, this study differentiates between active engagement (creation and interaction) and passive engagement (scrolling and viewing). Survey data from 520 Chinese young adults show that active engagement positively predicts life satisfaction and positive affect, while passive engagement relates to higher negative affect and lower life satisfaction. Moreover, social interaction motivation partially mediates these relationships. The findings emphasize that the quality and intention of engagement, rather than screen time alone, critically shape emotional well-being within China’s short-video culture.

Short-video platforms; TikTok; Douyin; Social interaction motivation

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