Doomscrolling, Learned Helplessness and Existential Anxiety among Emerging Adults

Abstract

The present study investigated doomscrolling and existential anxiety, with a specific focus on the mediating role of learned helplessness. A cross-sectional survey research design was carried out on 323 participants (125 men, 198 women) aged 18–29 years. Participants completed the Doomscrolling Scale to assess compulsive engagement with negative news, the Learned Helplessness Scale to measure feelings of powerlessness, and the Existential Anxiety Questionnaire to evaluate concerns related to fate, death, and meaninglessness. Correlation analyses revealed a significant positive relationship among study variables. Mediation analyses further indicated that learned helplessness significantly mediated this relationship, suggesting that compulsive exposure to negative digital content increases feelings of helplessness, which in turn amplifies existential concerns. The findings highlight the critical role of learned helplessness as a psychological mechanism linking excessive engagement with negative online content and existential anxiety. These results underscore the potential mental health risks associated with digital overexposure, particularly among emerging adults who are highly active on social media. From a cultural perspective, the study provides insight into how these phenomena manifest in the Pakistani context, where societal and environmental factors may influence experiences of powerlessness and existential dread. Interventions aimed at reducing compulsive consumption of negative media, enhancing coping strategies, and fostering psychological resilience may help mitigate existential anxiety in this population. Future research should explore longitudinal designs to establish causal relationships.