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The association of binge-watching and depressive symptoms, especially feelings of guilt over time: An experience sampling study.

Lehmkühler, J. K. (2020) The association of binge-watching and depressive symptoms, especially feelings of guilt over time: An experience sampling study.

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Abstract:With the rising use of video on demand (VoD) services, a new phenomenon called binge-watching (BW) arose, defined as watching at least one hour and two episodes of a TV show in succession. BW has been suggested to be correlated with several health issues. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between BW and depressive symptoms, particularly feelings of guilt, over time. In a 14-day experience-sampling study, respondents (N = 38) documented their VoD use once daily and emotional states twice a day in the smartphone application Ethica. Linear Mixed Modelling was applied to analyse the effects of BW on mood, energy, guilt, concentration problems and sleeping problems. Overall, no associations between VoD watching and most symptoms of depression were found, but feelings of guilt (B = 0.15; SE = 0.07; p = .03) and concentration problems (B = 0.15; SE = 0.07; p = .04) were higher the morning after. Specifically, BW was associated with increased feelings of guilt in the next morning (B = .14; SE = 0.07; p = .04) and also immediately after watching (B = 0.10; SE = 0.03; p = .003). All the associations appeared rather short-term and small. Only feelings of guilt were consistently increased in association with BW. It is assumed that societal pressure and goal conflicts may play a meaningful role in this context. The lack of a common definition of BW displays a great obstacle to research in this field. For future research, it is recommended to focus on further clarifying the question of whether the users’ health is seriously at risk when engaging in BW.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology BSc (56604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/81511
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