Research has highlighted the potential negative consequences of binge-watching, which has become increasingly common due to the widespread availability of streaming platforms and digital technologies. Studies have linked binge-watching to various physical and mental health issues, such as reduced social interaction, poor sleep quality, increased sedentary lifestyle, and weight gain.
Three friends sat on a sofa, smiling, chatting, and watching TV
Key Points
Rationale
Previous research has established links between loneliness, problematic digital technology use, and unhealthy coping mechanisms (Tokunaga & Rains, 2010; Nowland et al., 2018; Moretta & Buodo, 2020).
Building on evidence that lonely individuals tend to identify more with media characters (Greenwood & Long, 2009) and that escapism motives predict problematic behaviors (Masur et al., 2014; Starosta & Izydorczyk, 2020), the present study examines how loneliness may lead to binge-watching through the desire to escape reality and identify with fictional characters.
Investigating these factors can provide insights into why people engage in maladaptive binge-watching and inform strategies to mitigate its negative effects as streaming continues to grow.
Method
Cross-sectionalonline survey:
Statistical measures: Correlations, multiple regression, mediation analysis using PROCESS macro.
Results
The study’s findings support the hypothesis that escapism plays a crucial role in the relationship between loneliness and binge-watching.
Although the model explains a significant portion of the variance in binge-watching scores, it is important to note that other factors not examined in this study may also contribute to this behavior.
Further research is needed to explore additional psychological, social, and contextual variables that may influence binge-watching tendencies.
Insight
Future research could examine how individual differences (e.g., need for cognition/affect) moderate these relationships and track binge-watching patterns over time.
Strengths
Limitations
Cross-sectional design prevents causal conclusions
Sample mainly from the UK
Binge-watching is operationalized as a general tendency vs. discrete behavior
Clinical Implications
The results highlight psychological factors that may put lonely individuals at risk for maladaptive binge-watching as an unhealthy coping strategy.
Clinicians could assess these underlying vulnerabilities when clients present with excessive binge-watching. Streaming platforms might design content and features to facilitate healthier viewing patterns.
However, the generalizability of the findings to non-UK populations and the long-term impacts require further study.
References
Primary reference
Gabbiadini, A., Baldissarri, C., Valtorta, R. R., Durante, F., & Mari, S. (2021). Loneliness, escapism, and identification with media characters: An exploration of the psychological factors underlying binge-watching tendency.Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 785970.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.785970
Other references
Exelmans, L., & Van den Bulck, J. (2017). Binge viewing, sleep, and the role of pre-sleep arousal.Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 13(8), 1001-1008.
Greenwood, D. N., & Long, C. R. (2009). Psychological predictors of media involvement: Solitude experiences and the need to belong.Communication Research, 36(5), 637-654.
Masur, P. K., Reinecke, L., Ziegele, M., & Quiring, O. (2014). The interplay of intrinsic need satisfaction and Facebook specific motives in explaining addictive behavior on Facebook.Computers in Human Behavior, 39, 376-386.
Moretta, T., & Buodo, G. (2020). Problematic internet use and loneliness: How complex is the relationship? A short literature review.Current Addiction Reports, 7,125-136.
Nowland, R., Necka, E. A., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2018). Loneliness and social internet use: Pathways to reconnection in a digital world?Perspectives on Psychological Science, 13(1), 70-87.
Starosta, J. A., & Izydorczyk, B. (2020). Understanding the phenomenon of binge-watching—A systematic review.International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(12), 4469.
Tokunaga, R. S., & Rains, S. A. (2010). An evaluation of two characterizations of the relationships between problematic internet use, time spent using the internet, and psychosocial problems.Human Communication Research, 36(4), 512-545.
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Olivia Guy-Evans, MSc
BSc (Hons) Psychology, MSc Psychology of Education
Olivia Guy-Evans is a writer and associate editor for Simply Psychology. She has previously worked in healthcare and educational sectors.
Saul McLeod, PhD
BSc (Hons) Psychology, MRes, PhD, University of Manchester
Saul McLeod, PhD., is a qualified psychology teacher with over 18 years of experience in further and higher education. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology.
