Television viewing and depression: No news is good news

Neuroticism, Extraversion, Perceived Social Support, and Escape Television Viewing as Determinants of Psychological Distress in Crime Victims

“…Potts and Sanchez (1994) measured depression in a sample of college students and found higher levels of depression in male students to be correlated positively with television viewing "to avoid loneliness," "to pass the time," and "to get away from people." For female students, depression was correlated with viewing "to avoid loneliness" and "to get away from problems."…”

Effects of Personality Types on the Use of Television Genre

“…Perse and Rubin (1990) argued that people tuned in to television news in order to seek information to use personally or in discussions, to seek thrilling amusement, or to pass the time when there was nothing else to do or no one else with whom to talk. Research has also focused on the relationship between depression and motivations for television news use (Perse & Rubin, 1990;Potts & Sanchez, 1994). Potts and Sanchez (1994) found that although individuals experiencing greater levels of depression were more likely to consume television that allowed them to experience psychological escape (particularly from their own depressive moods), these individuals tended to experience unpleasant emotions when watching television news.…”

“…Research has also focused on the relationship between depression and motivations for television news use (Perse & Rubin, 1990;Potts & Sanchez, 1994). Potts and Sanchez (1994) found that although individuals experiencing greater levels of depression were more likely to consume television that allowed them to experience psychological escape (particularly from their own depressive moods), these individuals tended to experience unpleasant emotions when watching television news. In fact, Perse and Rubin (1990) noted that the only motivation expressed by chronically lonely people for watching television news was simply a need to fill idle time.…”

Building Social Capital in Young People: The Role of Mass Media and Life Outlook

“…Although Beck does not fully develop any predictions regarding life outlook and media use, he suggests that persons with a pessimistic style may be drawn to television (Beck, 1967, p. 29), and indeed Potts and Sanchez (1994) found support for this prediction. Several processes may underlie the preference among persons with a pessimistic outlook for different uses of media.…”