Can't stop binge-watching? Study links it to loneliness - Silicon Canals

"The research, conducted by scientists at Huangshan University in China, examined 551 adults who consumed substantial amounts of television. All participants watched at least 3.5 hours daily and more than four episodes per week. Among them, over 60 percent met the criteria for binge-watching addiction, characterized by obsessive viewing patterns, escalating consumption, and negative impacts on work or relationships. The findings illuminate a crucial distinction that previous research often overlooked."

"Loneliness significantly predicted binge-watching addiction but showed no connection to non-problematic viewing habits. This suggests that while many people occasionally marathon a favorite series without consequence, those experiencing social isolation may turn to television in ways that become harmful. The study identifies escapism and emotional enhancement as the two primary pathways through which lonely individuals use streaming platforms to regulate their feelings."

"The timing of this research coincides with mounting recognition of loneliness as a serious public health threat. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 16 percent of people worldwide experience loneliness. The organization views social disconnection as a significant danger, linking it to increased risks of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, depression, and anxiety. According to WHO data, loneliness accounts for roughly 871,000 deaths annually."

Data from 551 adults who watched at least 3.5 hours of television daily and more than four episodes per week were analyzed. More than 60 percent of those participants met criteria for binge-watching addiction, marked by obsessive viewing, escalating consumption, and negative impacts on work or relationships. Loneliness significantly predicted binge-watching addiction but did not predict non-problematic viewing. Escapism and emotional enhancement were identified as the main pathways by which lonely individuals used streaming to regulate feelings. Global estimates place loneliness at about 16 percent of people and link it to major health risks and hundreds of thousands of deaths annually.

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