Psychology Research and Behavior Management (Jan 2024)
Online Binge-Watching Among Chinese College Students: Implications for Loneliness, Anxiety, and Depression
Abstract
Haoyuan Yu,1 Farideh Alizadeh2 1Faculty of Creative Arts, University of Malaya (UM), Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia; 2Drama Department, Faculty of Creative Arts, University of Malaya (UM), Kuala Lumpur, 50603, MalaysiaCorrespondence: Farideh Alizadeh, Drama Department, Faculty of Creative Arts, University of Malaya (UM), Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia, Tel +60 172552146, Email [email protected]: This study aimed to investigate binge-watching behavior and addiction among a sample of 446 Chinese college students and assess its consequences for mental health, with a particular focus on feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression.Participants and Methods: We conducted an online survey to gather data, examining participants’ binge-watching habits and preferred platforms. We also utilized regression analysis to assess the impact of binge-watching addiction on mental health, exploring the associations between binge-watching addiction and feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression.Results: Our findings revealed that the Chinese college students in our study typically defined binge-watching sessions as lasting approximately 7.22 hours, with an average of 10.83 episodes. Regarding the self-assessment of binge-watching, the average duration of participants was 5.76 hours, and the average number of episodes was 7.42. Tencent Video, iQIYI, and Bilibili emerged as the dominant platforms for binge-watching among the respondents. Regression analysis demonstrated a significant link between binge-watching addiction and mental health, with positive associations observed between binge-watching addiction and increased feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression.Conclusion: The results of this study reinforce previous findings regarding the detrimental effects of excessive media consumption on mental well-being. Moreover, they provide valuable insights into the global prevalence of binge-watching and its impact on the psychological health of young adults in the digital age, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to address this issue.Keywords: binge-watching, addiction, mental health, college students, Chinese
