Peer Victimization, Binge Scrolling, and Anhedonia: Examining a Behavioral Mediation Pathway Among Young Adults

Abstract

Young adults who experience peer victimization often carry lasting psychological difficulties, yet the specific behavioral pathways through which this harm leads to hedonic impairment remain unclear. The present study examined binge scrolling as a mediating mechanism between peer victimization and anhedonia, assessed across anticipatory and consummatory pleasure. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 260 young adults aged 18 to 25 (64.6% female, 35.4% male), recruited through academic institutions and online platforms via purposive and snowball sampling. Peer victimization was measured using the Multidimensional Peer-Victimization Scale (MPVS), binge scrolling using the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), and hedonic capacity using the Temporal Experience of Pleasure Scale (TEPS-A and TEPS-C). Data were analyzed using Spearman correlations, multiple regression, and bootstrapped mediation analysis via the PROCESS macro. Results showed that binge scrolling fully mediated the relationship between peer victimization and anticipatory pleasure (indirect effect), while peer victimization retained a significant direct effect on consummatory pleasure , independent of binge scrolling. These findings point to binge scrolling as the behavioral pathway through which peer victimization is transformed into anticipatory anhedonia, with distinct clinical implications for assessment and intervention with victimized young adults.