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Disaster Mental Health

Binge-Watching Practices of College Aged Students During the COVID-19 Lockdown and Today

(PS1-A3) Binge-watching Practices of College Aged Students During the COVID-19 Lockdown and Today

Friday, November 18, 2022

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM EST

Location: Westside Ballroom, 5th Floor

Author(s)

LG

Lauren Gorelick, B.A.

Doctoral Student
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Teaneck, New Jersey

Co-Author(s)

EM

Eleanor L. McGlinchey, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Teaneck, New Jersey

Background: Binge-watching is a recent phenomenon that has been observed among TV viewers. We define binge-watching as “watching three or more episodes of the same series in a single sitting or watching one or more episodes of the same series for several consecutive days”. College students are a key demographic to understand binge-watching phenomenon as they consume more content on the internet when compared to other age groups (Nielsen, 2016). Binge-watching may be harmful to a person's general health because of its addictive nature (Chaudhary, 2014). During the COVID-19 pandemic, one study found that 71% of college students indicated increased stress and anxiety due to the outbreak. As people remained isolated in their homes, they became more likely to participate in internet activities and watch television. The current study examined the binge-watching practices among college students during lockdown phase (March 2020-June 2020) and currently. We predicted that binge-watching practices would decrease in frequency and duration after many COVID-related restrictions were lifted and people move to more social, outside activities. We also hypothesize that increased level of current binge-watching practices was associated with increased loneliness and depression, and decreased sleep.

Method: We administered a survey that assessed for current binge-watching habits, binge-watching habits during lockdown period, and current binge-watching motivating factors in college students. We also assessed current sleep quality, loneliness, and depression ratings (N=175). Paired Samples T-tests and Pearson correlations were utilized in preliminary analyses. Additional analyses are planned for sleep variables and binge-watching motives and engagement factors.

Results: There was a significant difference between binge-watching during the early days of COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and current times t (174) = 7.684, p< .001. Participants reported higher binge-watching practices relative to present times. Furthermore, increased binge-watching practices were significantly associated with increased loneliness (r = .339, p< .001), depression (r =.292, p< .001), and lower perceived sleep quality (r = .222, p=.003).

Discussion: The findings of this study suggest that binge-watching correlates with psychological and mental health symptoms including depression, loneliness, and lower perceived sleep quality. During the Covid-19 lockdown, individuals reported an increase their binge-watching which may have exacerbated difficulties in psychological wellbeing. Future research should explore the predictors associated with individuals who continued to have higher binge-watching practices post Covid-19 lockdown. Thus, the study suggests the importance of improving individuals’ understanding of their binge-watching practices to be mindful of possible adverse psychological outcomes.