Overcoming the unitary exploration of binge-watching: A cluster analytical approach

Abstract

Background and aims: Binge-watching (i.e., watching multiple episodes of a TV series in one session) has recently become standard practice among TV series viewers; this expansion generates concerns regarding the potential negative outcomes associated with this habit. However, the investigation of its psychological correlates remains fragmentary, with few initial studies a priori conceptualizing this behavior as a new addictive disorder. This study explored these psychological correlates using cluster analysis of binge-watching behavior based on three key psychological factors: motivations, impulsivity, and emotional reactivity. Methods: An online survey was completed by 4,039 TV series viewers. Data were analyzed using hierarchical and non-hierarchical cluster analyses, the validity of the clusters being finally determined through mutual comparisons with a selection of external correlates. Results: Four clusters were identified: recreational TV series viewers (presenting low involvement in binge-watching), regulated binge-watchers (moderately involved), avid binge-watchers (presenting elevated but non-problematic involvement), and unregulated binge-watchers (presenting potentially problematic involvement associated with negative outcomes). Discussion and conclusions: This study underlines the heterogeneous and multidetermined nature of binge-watching. Our findings suggest that high engagement in binge-watching is distinct from problematic binge-watching, thus reinforcing the notion that conceptualizing binge-watching as an addictive disorder is of low relevance and might actually lead to the overpathologization of this highly popular leisure activity.

Towards a cross-cultural assessment of binge-watching: Psychometric evaluation of the “watching TV series motives” and “binge-watching engagement and symptoms” questionnaires across nine languages

“…Finally, the reciprocal stronger positive relationships that systematically were observed between coping/escapism and problematic binge-watching factors (i.e., bingewatching, dependency, loss of control) on the one hand, and self-reported unhappiness, psychopathological symptoms (i.e., depression, anxiety, somatization), impulsivity domains and problematic internet use on the other, are further suggestive of the construct validity of the nine language-versions of the WTSMQ and BWESQ, and highlight important clinical relationships across cultures. These findings are in accordance with previous studies reporting associations between binge-watching and depression (Ahmed, 2017;Sung et al, 2015; Tukachinsky & Eyal, 2018), anxiety (Kruger et al, 2015b;Sung et al, 2015;Tefertiller & Maxwell, 2018), and heightened impulsivity (Flayelle, Maurage et al, 2019b;Riddle et al, 2017). Therefore, beyond supporting the construct validity of both scales, such patterns of correlations, that are seen across all samples, suggest the potential ability of the BWESQ to distinguish problematic from elevated but non-harmful binge-watching in each of its translations.…”

“…The current findings therefore suggest problematic binge-watching may involve maladaptive coping or emotion-regulation strategies, as in other potentially addictive behaviors (Flayelle, Maurage et al, 2019a, 2019bRubenking & Bracken, 2018;Tukachinsky & Eyal, 2018).…”

Personality Traits and Motivation as Factors Associated with Symptoms of Problematic Binge-Watching

“…Neuroticism is related to impulsivity, a tendency to feel negative emotions, low adaptation to frustration and stressful situations [49]. Such results seem to comply with research which implies that problematic binge-watching can be related to the regulation of negative emotions, impulsivity, loss of control and regret [7,8,38,50]. Furthermore, Tóth-Király et al [32] and Pittman and Steiner [33] imply that neuroticism is related to binge-watching and it is also a significant predictor of Internet addiction [36,51,52].…”

“…Escape motivation was the strongest factor for most of the symptoms of excessive binge-watching. Many studies on behavioral addiction showed that the Internet, video games, social media and shopping can be a way to avoid daily life problems [4,7,10,[58][59][60][61]. The results of the research show that excessive binge-watchers have a tendency to use these behaviors as a strategy to regulate their emotions [7].…”

“…The development of multiple streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Disney + and HBO GO over the recent years has had a big effect on creating the phenomenon of binge-watching [1]. The most common definition of binge-watching is watching multiple episodes of a TV series in one sitting [2][3][4] However, it is important to mention that scientists differ among each other about how this phenomenon should be defined in terms of the amount of episodes watched in one sitting, the duration of the episodes or content-episodes of one TV series or multiple series watched in one session [5][6][7][8][9][10]. Some scientists define binge-watching as watching 1-3 episodes in one sitting [5,11], or define it as watching three to four or more thirty-minute-long episodes of a TV series, or watching three or more one-hour-long episodes [4].…”