Research Article
Is binge watching among medical students associated with depression and anxiety?
Meriem Hamza*, Soumeyya Halayem, Imène Jraidi, Myriam Boudali, Asma Bouden and Ahlem Belhadj
Published: 21 March, 2023 | Volume 7 - Issue 1 | Pages: 004-010
Objectives: Investigate binge-watching (BW) behavior among students and assess its correlation with anxiety and depressive symptoms.
Methods: Medical students who met the definition of BW were divided, according to their viewing frequency, into three groups: G1: once a month or less, G2: once a week or once every two weeks, and G3: twice a week or more. Beck Depression Inventory and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were used.
Results: Ninety-four participants were recruited. The prevalence of BW was 72.3%. Depression and anxiety scores didn’t differ between binge watchers and the non-binge watcher group. G2 was found to be significantly less depressed (p = 0.014) and had a lower anxiety state (p = 0.05) and anxiety trait scores (p = 0.026) than the control group. Feeling tired was the most prevalent reason to stop viewing among G3 (p = 0.001).
Conclusion: Binge-watching could be when used in a specific manner, a way to cope with negative feelings.
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DOI: 10.29328/journal.ida.1001035
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Keywords:
Anxiety; Binge-watching; Depression; Medical students; Video on demand
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