With the advent of video on demand streaming services such as Netflix, Disney Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video, Sony Liv, binge watching has become a common media behaviour among the emerging adults, particularly aged 18 to 34. Binge watching, a habit of watching TV shows or movies consecutively on internet-driven platforms at one’s own discretion, is a double-edged sword, it could enhance viewer’s well-being through perceived autonomy whereas excessive indulgence can reduce well-being through negative emotions such as guilt and regret. The purpose behind the present study was to determine the relationship between binge watching and mental well-being. In this study, data were collected with help of questionnaires such as BWESQ (Binge watching engagement and symptoms questionnaire) and MHC-SF (Mental Health Continuum-Short Form) while correlation, t-test and regression were employed to analyse the data. It was found that binge watching was significantly and negatively related to mental well-being and problematic binge watching significantly and negatively predict mental well-being. Further, results showed that males tend to engage in binge watching more than females and that males generally exhibit better mental well-being compared to females. This study highlights the complex relationship between user’s mental health and binge watching behaviour, which can range from recreational to addictive on a continuum.
binge watching, well-being, emerging adults, gender
Amrit Kaur Hans. Corresponding author. PhD Scholar, Department of Psychology, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab, India. Correspondence email: amrithans89@gmail.com
Harprit Kaur. Co-author. Professor, Department of Psychology, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab, India.
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Cite this article:
Hans, A.K. & Kaur, H. (2024). Binge watching and mental well-being: Study on emerging adults. International Review of Social Sciences Research, 4(3), 52-75. https://doi.org/10.53378/irssr.353082
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