A dual-moderation model of physical activity and gender in the relationship between experiential avoidance and short video dependency.

The rapid proliferation of short video platforms has raised concerns about adolescent media dependency. This study examined how experiential avoidance (EA) relates to short video dependency (SVD), considering the moderating effects of physical activity (PA) and gender. A total of 3,964 adolescents from four Chinese provinces completed self-report questionnaires on EA, short video use, and PA. Moderation analyses using SPSS PROCESS showed that EA was positively associated with SVD. PA significantly attenuated this relationship, suggesting a protective role, and this association was further moderated by gender, with girls showing a stronger EA-SVD association than boys. Simple slope analyses indicated that the buffering role of PA was most pronounced among girls with high EA. These findings highlight the complex interplay of individual behavioral habits and gender in shaping adolescent SVD. The findings suggest practical ways to reduce SVD, such as promoting PA and applying strategies that consider gender differences.