The Prevalence of Binge-Watching Behavior and Its Association With Perceived Stress Among Adolescents During the Covid-19 Lockdown: An Investigation

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the lives of people across the world, including adolescents who were required to stay at home during the lockdown period. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of binge-watching behavior among adolescents during the Covid-19 lockdown and to explore its association with perceived stress. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 239 adolescents aged between 15 and 19 years in a selected region using a self-administered online questionnaire. The results revealed that binge-watching behavior was prevalent among adolescents, with nearly 70% of the participants reporting that they had engaged in binge-watching during the lockdown period. The findings also showed a significant positive association between binge-watching behavior and perceived stress among the adolescents. Moreover, the study found that the duration of binge-watching, the frequency of binge-watching, and the types of programs watched during binge-watching were significantly associated with perceived stress. These findings highlight the need for appropriate interventions to address the negative impact of binge-watching on the mental health of adolescents during the Covid-19 lockdown.