Digital Dissociation: Examining the Link Between Doomscrolling and Dissociative Experiences in Online Media Engagement

Abstract

Doomscrolling refers to repetitive and prolonged consumption of distressing online content. This cross-sectional study examines the relationship between doomscrolling and anomalous experiences in young adults using the Černis Felt Sense of Anomaly (ČEFSA) Scale. All eight anomalous experience domains demonstrate strong positive correlations with doomscrolling, and greater disruptions in emotional, self, bodily, and perceptual experiences are linked to higher doomscrolling behavior. Preliminary findings suggest that no significant gender differences are observed in anomalous emotional experiences. These results imply that rather than being linked to isolated symptoms, doomscrolling is linked to a broad pattern of anomalous experiences of self and perception.