Doomscrolling Behavior: Psychological Mechanisms of Compulsive News Consumption

Abstract

Doomscrolling, the compulsive consumption of negative online news, has emerged as a prevalent behavior pattern with significant psychological consequences. This paper examines the underlying psychological mechanisms that drive and maintain doomscrolling behavior through an integrative theoretical framework. Drawing on principles from behavioral psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and clinical psychology, we analyze how cognitive biases (negativity bias, confirmation bias), emotional processes (anxiety, fear of missing out), behavioral patterns (habit formation, reinforcement schedules), and social factors (collective trauma, social comparison) converge to create a self-perpetuating cycle of compulsive news consumption. We propose a comprehensive model incorporating negative reinforcement mechanisms, variable reward schedules, and anxiety-driven information seeking. The analysis reveals that doomscrolling represents a maladaptive coping strategy that paradoxically increases psychological distress while providing temporary relief. Implications for intervention strategies and digital wellbeing are discussed.