{
  "abstract": "Using the covariance matrix reported by Guo et al., we reassessed the evidence supporting their mediation model linking short-video addiction with lower social connection among older adults. We demonstrate that the observed relationships are reproduced almost perfectly by an alternative latent-variable framework that does not require the directional pathways proposed in the original article. In this alternative account, perceived short-video addiction, self-esteem, subjective well-being, and social connection are viewed as observable expressions of a broader core self-evaluation construct. The findings highlight the problem of model underdetermination in observational studies, where distinct theoretical explanations may fit the same empirical data equally well. Consequently, researchers should consider competing model specifications and remain cautious when interpreting correlational results as evidence for specific influencing mechanisms.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 3,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Kimmo Sorjonen"
    },
    {
      "name": "Bo Melin"
    },
    {
      "name": "Marika Melin"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fk62esq0fq2d8.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.31234/osf.io/rg6u3_v1",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "fk62esq0fq2d8",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/rg6u3_v1/",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "bepress",
      "Developmental Psychology"
    ],
    [
      "bepress",
      "Health Psychology"
    ],
    [
      "bepress",
      "Individual Differences"
    ],
    [
      "bepress",
      "Interpersonal Relationships"
    ],
    [
      "bepress",
      "Mental Health"
    ],
    [
      "bepress",
      "Meta-science"
    ],
    [
      "bepress",
      "Old Age"
    ],
    [
      "bepress",
      "Quantitative Methods"
    ],
    [
      "bepress",
      "Quantitative Psychology"
    ],
    [
      "bepress",
      "Self-esteem"
    ],
    [
      "bepress",
      "Social and Behavioral Sciences"
    ],
    [
      "bepress",
      "Social and Personality Psychology"
    ],
    [
      "bepress",
      "Statistical Methods"
    ],
    [
      "bepress",
      "Well-being"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": null,
  "pdf_url": "https://osf.io/rg6u3/download",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-07",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fk62esq0fq2d8.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:25:48Z",
      "native_id": "rg6u3",
      "source": "osf",
      "url": "https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/rg6u3_v1/"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "mathematics",
      "origin": "bepress:Statistical Methods",
      "subfield": "statistics"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Questionable mediated effect of short-video addiction on social connection among older adults: A reanalysis of Guo et al. (2026)",
  "title_text": "Questionable mediated effect of short-video addiction on social connection among older adults: A reanalysis of Guo et al. (2026)",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:25:48Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fk62esq0fq2d8",
  "venue": "PsyArXiv",
  "versions": []
}