Table 5 Mediation model with the variables Neuroticism (predictor), PHQ-8 (mediator) and TTUD-Q (outcome)

Indirect

BFI_Neuroticism ⇒ PHQ-8 ⇒ TikTokUD

0.303

0.0688

0.1686

0.438

0.1098

4.41

< .001

Component

BFI_Neuroticism ⇒ PHQ-8

1.957

0.2310

1.5047

2.410

0.3996

8.47

< .001

PHQ-8 ⇒ TikTokUD

0.155

0.0300

0.0962

0.214

0.2748

5.17

< .001

Direct

BFI_Neuroticism ⇒ TikTokUD

0.237

0.1469

-0.0507

0.525

0.0859

1.61

0.106

Total

BFI_Neuroticism ⇒ TikTokUD

0.541

0.1395

0.2671

0.814

0.1957

3.87

< .001