A recent study suggests that indulging in TV show marathons may have positive effects on mental well-being, particularly for individuals dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder aggravated by reduced natural light in fall and winter. Researchers claim that watching multiple episodes of popular series like Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, or Mad Men could serve as a coping mechanism during challenging periods.
While binge-watching has often been criticized, the study from the United States reveals potential advantages in prolonging TV viewing sessions. According to the research team, individuals engrossed in continuous viewing tend to retain storylines more effectively, fostering ongoing engagement through daydreams or fantasies.
Lead researcher Dr. Joshua Baldwin, a media psychology expert at the University of Georgia, highlights the human inclination towards storytelling and its role in fulfilling various emotional needs. He explains that binge-watching enables viewers to construct “mental worlds” where narratives persist beyond the show’s conclusion, offering comfort during stressful situations.
The study, published in Acta Psychologica, emphasizes that viewers of lengthy series with intricate plots and diverse characters are more inclined to reflect on completed stories compared to those who consume media at a slower pace. Dr. Baldwin underscores that individuals who binge-watch actively immerse themselves in the narrative even after watching, enhancing their memory of plot details and overall story comprehension.
Dr. Baldwin notes that individuals require a strong memory to mentally revisit stories, with participants in the study indicating a preference for recalling and daydreaming about impactful and meaningful narratives over less engaging ones. Despite this, Dr. Baldwin asserts that books also hold significance in memory retention, especially for avid readers who thoroughly absorb and reflect on the content.
The researchers acknowledge the need for further exploration into the effects of binge-watching on well-being, suggesting that the outcomes may vary based on individual characteristics. Dr. Baldwin stresses the nuanced nature of the debate surrounding media consumption, emphasizing the importance of content, viewer motivations, individual psychology, and contextual factors in evaluating the impact of prolonged viewing habits.
