Binge-Watching as Case of Escapist Entertainment Use

Halfmann, Annabell; Reinecke, Leonard

doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190072216.013.11

Cited by 24 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…The current study provides in-depth insights into the emotionregulation strategies of media users, supporting the central tenets of mood management theory (Zillmann, 1988) and providing compelling evidence of the importance of media use for mood optimization particularly in difficult life phases (e.g., Anderson et al, 1996). While media users' attempts to distract themselves from frustration, adversity, and stress have often been discussed critically as a form of dysfunctional coping (e.g., Meier et al, 2018), the results of the present study support more recent work that views escapist media use as a functional coping strategy (Halfmann & Reinecke, 2021). Self-management and regulation through media may be particularly relevant to stressful situations where individuals have little control over the source of stress (as is the case in a pandemic), and therefore problem-focused strategies of coping are perceived as less viable alternatives.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Supplemental Material for Media use and avoidance experiences during social distancing.

Grady¹,

Eden²,

Johnson³

et al. 2022

Technology, Mind, and Behavior

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Media use significantly increased in many countries as shelter-in-place and social distancing measures were enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, little is known about what specific media were used; the emotional experiences users associated with media during the pandemic; or how media use may have varied as social distancing protocols changed over time. A mixed-methods study analyzed media use reports from students at two U.S. universities, gathered at the immediate onset of social distancing and again 7 months later. We quantitatively coded and analyzed the media channels and content types users reported seeking out and avoiding at each time point, and thematically analyzed the motives and affective experiences reported. Generally, users increased television viewing and computer-mediated interpersonal communication early in the pandemic, and overwhelmingly avoided the news at the onset of social distancing. In terms of affective responses, participants reported mixed experiences with social media, with some platforms associated with positive affect (TikTok, YouTube) while others were generally a source of stress (Facebook, Twitter, news content). Overall, results suggest unique platforms and content types may fulfill different functions based on the emotional needs of users during times of societal stress.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Supplemental Material for Media use and avoidance experiences during social distancing.

Grady¹,

Eden²,

Johnson³

et al. 2022

Technology, Mind, and Behavior

Self Cite

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“…The first indications suggest that the pandemic has changed the way media are used ( 70 ). The increase in media consumption, or consumption of specific types of content, can be seen as a positive coping strategy to decrease hostility and to cope with the stress and anxiety experienced during the initial period of social distancing ( 71 – 75 ). Students' use of a coping strategy, such as accessing media, can play an important role in problem-oriented or emotional adaptation, such that students can use the media as a way to keep in touch with friends and family; a source of social support ( 76 ); a tool for entertainment, monitoring the local situation, or gathering information on other pandemics; or even a way to distance themselves from the current situation, providing humor and insight.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental Health Profiles in a Sample of Moroccan High School Students: Comparison Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

et al. 2022

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BackgroundAdolescent high school students may be particularly susceptible to suffering from the effect of isolation, physical distancing restrictions, and school closures imposed during the COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019) pandemic. Given the biological and psychological changes that occur during this period of development, adolescents' experiences of these pandemic measures could significantly threaten their mental health and cause long-term consequences.AimThe main objectives of the study were to determine the impact of confinement because of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on the psychological distress of Moroccan adolescents and identify the risk and protective factors that could influence their mental health.MethodsThe participants in this study were Moroccan high school students who were recruited at two different times—before the COVID-19 pandemic (350 students, mean age: 16.55 years; 53.71% female; data collected in 2014/2015) and after the announcement of the pandemic (457 students, mean age: 16.84; 64.1% female; data collected in 2020). Students responded to an anonymous survey that included several validated instruments, such as the Brief Symptom Inventory and the Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity questionary, and elicited information about the students' psychosocial environment, gender, and age. The scores on the Brief Symptom Inventory dimensions from the pre-pandemic period and during 2020 were compared. A comparison between the scores of the two genders of the 2020 sample was also carried out. In addition, binary regression analysis was performed to predict the associations between gender, frequency of physical activity, the presence of the number of negative psychosocial factors, and those dimensions of the Brief Symptom Inventory that significantly changed between the samples.ResultsFemale students reported higher psychological distress than male students in both data collection periods. During the COVID-19 pandemic, students scored significantly (p < 0.001) higher in depression and paranoid ideation, and they scored significantly (p = 0.01) lower in hostility and anxiety compared with the pre-pandemic period. Female gender and the experience of physical or psychological abuse significantly increased the risk of reporting higher scores in depression and paranoid ideation symptoms during 2020. Moderate and frequent physical activities were significantly and negatively associated with depression (p = 0.003 and p = 0.004; respectively).ConclusionsThis study confirms the stressful impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Moroccan high school students, who reported more symptoms of depression and paranoid ideation compared with the pre-COVID-19 period. Female students reported higher psychological distress than male students did. The experience of physical /psychological abuse during the pandemic worsened mental health, while moderate/frequent physical activity improved it.

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“…Against this background, it is possible that continued TV series consumption in a pandemic lockdown context may serve as a means to regulate emotional states (i.e., reducing negative emotions and enhancing positive emotions), thereby enhancing individuals’ (subjective) well-being as a form of escapist entertainment use (Halfmann & Reinecke, 2021).…”

Section: Available Evidence On Tv Viewing Practices During Stay-at-ho...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Binge-watching in times of COVID-19: A longitudinal examination of changes in affect and TV series consumption patterns during lockdown.

Sigre-Leirós¹,

Billieux²,

Möhr³

et al. 2023

Psychology of Popular Media

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COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns have had major negative effects on individuals’ mental health and psychological well-being. Isolated at home, people may engage in recreational activities such as binge-watching (i.e., viewing multiple episodes of a TV series in 1 session) as a strategy to regulate emotional states. This is the first longitudinal study assessing changes in TV series viewing patterns during the first COVID-19 lockdown and examining whether binge-watching was associated with changes in positive and negative affect throughout this period. TV series viewing practices and motivations, binge-watching behaviors, psychopathological symptoms, and affective states were jointly assessed through a 6-week longitudinal online survey at 3 time points (i.e., T1, T2, and T3), in Belgium, France, and Switzerland. Results showed significant increases in individuals’ watching habits (e.g., higher daily time spent viewing, expansion of coviewing practices). Results from the longitudinal analyses principally showed that male gender and social motives for TV series watching predicted a decrease in negative affect levels. A problematic binge-watching pattern characterized by loss of control was the single predictor of an increase in negative affect over time. These findings suggest that TV series watching patterns effectively increased during the first COVID-19 lockdown. Watching TV series for social motives emerged as a protective factor, whereas problematic binge-watching seemed to act as a maladaptive emotion regulation strategy throughout these unprecedented circumstances.

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Binge-Watching as Case of Escapist Entertainment Use

Cited by 24 publications

References 56 publications

Supplemental Material for Media use and avoidance experiences during social distancing.

Supplemental Material for Media use and avoidance experiences during social distancing.

Mental Health Profiles in a Sample of Moroccan High School Students: Comparison Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Binge-watching in times of COVID-19: A longitudinal examination of changes in affect and TV series consumption patterns during lockdown.

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