Exploring the Relationship between Binge-Watching, Loneliness, and Gender Differences among Young Adults
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This research aimed to explore potential links between binge-watching habits, feelings of loneliness, and gender among young adults, considering the psychological effects of using streaming media platforms. A primary goal was to determine if increased binge-watching correlates with greater loneliness. Secondly, the study examined how loneliness levels might differ between genders within both the binge-watching and non-binge-watching groups. A third aim was to analyze if the combined effect of binge-watching status and gender (interaction) influenced loneliness levels. Data were collected from 160 young adults, categorized equally into binge-watchers and non-binge-watchers (n=80 per group), with balanced gender representation in each category. Loneliness was assessed using the established UCLA Loneliness Scale. Binge-watching frequency was determined via a behavioral question adapted from Walton-Pattison et al. (2016), allowing categorization of viewing intensity. To analyze the primary and combined influences of binge-watching and gender on loneliness, a two-way ANOVA was performed. Results indicated that participants identified as binge-watchers reported significantly greater loneliness than non-binge-watchers (F= 11.363, p < .01, partial η² = .068). Additionally, female participants showed significantly higher loneliness scores compared to male participants (F= 8.127, p< .05, partial η² = .050). However, no significant interaction effect between binge-watching status and gender on loneliness was observed (F= .029, p = .865). This means that the effect of binge-watched television on loneliness does not vary by gender. Binge-watching further defines loneliness and gender as independent contributors to loneliness. This finding has great implications in that both of these concerns could be arranged for consideration in the context of mental health intervention concerning media consumption.
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