Short-Form Video and Middle-Aged Users: A Scoping Review and Research Gap Analysis

Abstract

This rapid scoping review outlines the range, distribution, and themes of conducted peer-reviewed articles among middle-aged adults’ (aged 45–64) usage of short-form videos. Searches of Scopus and Web of Science (English, 2020–2025), retrieved 343 articles,of which 8 articles met the inclusion criteria. Finding suggests an increase in publications in the previous 5 years, geographically centered in China and the US. Research methods include qualitative methods like ethnography, quantitative study approaches like surveys, content analysis, and mixed methods. The identified studies mainly focus on the influence and the usage of SFV on middle-aged individuals, both benefits like reducing loneliness and improving well-being, as well as potential risks of problematic use and further digital addiction. Active content creation and participating in short-form videos not only helps middleaged users to maintain social connections, but also helps them to express themselves, and moreover, fosters the sense of social belonging, which all contribute to a positive perspective towards ageing. Our research reveals that the middle-aged user group is an active but under-researched short-form video participants. Future research should broaden the geographical and cultural research background, as well as adopt a more longitudinal research approach, to examine middle-aged users’ short-form video engagements from a more comprehensive perspective.