The association between violent online video viewing time and generalized anxiety symptoms: Identifying an optimal threshold

The widespread use of digital platforms has increased exposure to violent online video content, raising concerns about its mental health implications. This study examined the association between daily viewing time of violent online videos and generalized anxiety symptoms in adults and identified a viewing-time threshold associated with elevated risk. We analyzed cross-sectional data from the 2024 Mental Health Perception Survey in South Korea using proportional quota sampling. The sample included 389 adults aged 20-69 years who reported violent content as their primary online video preference. Anxiety symptoms were assessed using the GAD-7. Multivariable logistic regression and item-level generalized ordered logit models were applied, adjusting for demographic and psychological covariates. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine an optimal viewing-time cutoff. Longer daily viewing time was significantly associated with higher odds of anxiety symptoms (adjusted OR = 1.358, 95% CI = 1.069-1.727), particularly symptoms of nervousness and anticipatory fear. ROC analysis showed high discriminatory ability (AUC = 0.8914), identifying daily viewing time of ≥2 h as the threshold beyond which anxiety risk increased. These findings suggest that prolonged exposure to violent online video content is associated with specific anxiety symptoms and that a two-hour daily viewing threshold may serve as a practical benchmark for early screening and public health guidance.