The Double-Edged Sword Effect of Flow Experience: Mediating Mechanisms and Protective Moderation of Reality Anchoring — Evidence from Chinese Short-Form Video Users

Abstract

In the highly immersive interaction context of short-form video platforms, flow experience presents a dual facilitation-risk effect. However, existing research has primarily examined its role from a single perspective and lacks a systematic investigation of boundary conditions for protective psychological mechanisms. This study integrates flow theory, habit theory, and conservation of resources theory to develop a dual-pathway model linking flow experience to continuance usage behavior through parallel mediators. Reality anchoring is introduced as a protective moderating variable, and its buffering effects on risk pathways are tested. Based on a sample of Chinese short-form video users (N=857), results show that flow experience influences continuance usage behavior primarily through parallel mediators rather than direct effects (β = -0.039, p = 0.370). Reality anchoring selectively weakens the conversion of flow experience into digital escapism and excessive use (interaction β ranges from -0.126 to -0.128, p < 0.001), but has a limited effect on the automated mindless scrolling pathway. This study contributes by integrating both facilitative and risk mechanisms within a unified framework and proposing reality anchoring as a key boundary condition for digital health, providing a theoretical basis for platform well-being-oriented design and user self-regulation.