Researchers from Huangshan University have found a link between binge-watching TV series and feelings of loneliness. This is reported by PLOS One.
The study involved more than 500 adult volunteers. All of them watched at least four episodes per week, and their total television viewing time exceeded 3.5 hours a day. The analysis showed that 61 percent of participants met the criteria for binge-watching addiction. It was in this group that researchers found the most evident connection between the level of loneliness and the degree of problematic behavior.
The scientists also learned why people binge-watch series. The main motivations were the desire to escape from everyday problems and unpleasant emotions, as well as the search for vivid experiences. According to the researchers, lonely individuals often use series to temporarily compensate for a lack of communication and to enhance positive emotions.
At the same time, the authors of the study emphasize that this is only a correlation, not a direct causal relationship. It remains unclear whether loneliness leads to addiction to series or, conversely, whether excessive viewing exacerbates social isolation. Additionally, the study did not take into account other content formats, such as short clips or videos on online platforms.
