Using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), this rapid review coded the barriers and facilitators to binge-watching and identified corresponding behaviour change techniques (BCTs) for intervention purposes. Twenty-nine studies reporting influences on binge-watching fulfilled the inclusion criteria and passed quality appraisal checks. Data were extracted and coded accordingly, as informed by the TDF. Findings indicate that most facilitators focused on the goals of binge-watching, such as escapism, and the social influences, such as companionship, while most barriers related to behavioural regulation, such as self-control and self-regulation. BCTs included ‘Goal setting (outcome)’, ‘Social comparison’, and ‘Self-monitoring of behaviour’. Results suggest intervention strategies targeting facilitators to binge-watching by incorporating the identified BCTs may succeed in inhibiting binge-watching behaviours. However, accounting for the intensity of binge-watching was not an objective of the present review; therefore, future research should take into account the varying levels of engagement in binge-watching when developing interventions.
Technological advancements in the digital age have revolutionised television watching practices. Individuals are no longer restricted by the traditional television broadcasting system
[1]. Instead, the emergence of online streaming services (e.g., Netflix and Amazon Prime) enables individuals to watch multiple episodes of a television series wherever, whenever, and on whatever device they desire
[2]. Consequently, this flexibility is argued to contribute towards overindulgence in television watching, termed binge-watching
[3]. The global average of minutes spent streaming Netflix has increased by 57.9% from 2017 to 2021, with an average of 3.2 h per day
[4]. The term ‘binge’ itself holds a negative connotation
[5], indicating excessive engagement
[6]. As such, it is crucial to have a better understanding of this phenomenon to be able to ultimately mitigate this behaviour.
Binge-watching has garnered interest in research since it emerged as a concept in 2013, and researchers agree that binge-watching is a “relatively new behavioural phenomenon”
[7]. However, a consensus on its definition has yet to be reached
[2]. Some researchers report binge-watching as the “consumption of multiple episodes of a television series in a short period of time”
[8], whereas others specify the number of episodes which constitute binge-watching
[9][10]. Nevertheless, as summarised by Starosta and Izydorczyk (2020), the present review adopts the definition of binge-watching as “watching multiple episodes of a TV show in one sitting”
[7].
As experienced by many individuals, binge-watching has become a frequent behaviour
[11], particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic due to mandatory quarantines and social isolation restrictions. Individuals are reported to have spent an increased amount of time binge-watching
[12], far longer than any of the proposed definitions of binge-watching, indicating excessive engagement. For example, 87% of university students were reported to binge-watch for more than 3 h per week
[13].
Despite students acknowledging binge-watching as a distraction from their academic responsibilities
[14] and perceiving this behaviour as excessive
[15], they report persistently engaging in it. Research has also shown an association between binge-watching and adverse health consequences. Mostly a solitary activity
[16], binge-watching can also perpetuate feelings of loneliness and social isolation that result in individuals becoming “distant from friends and family”
[17]. Relatedly, loneliness impacts an individual’s mental health, especially in depression, which is reported to have a bi-directional effect with binge-watching
[16]. Dandamudi and Sathiyaseelan (2018) documented an increased consumption of unhealthy foods, disturbances in sleep patterns, and prolonged sedentary activity in association with binge-watching
[18]. Research also highlights its potentially addictive nature
[3], and parallels are drawn between binge-watching and other behavioural addictions
[19], including binge-drinking, binge-eating, and gaming disorder; binge-watching provides immediate gratification. The development of binge-watching as an addictive behaviour can be supported by the Interaction of Person–Affect–Cognition–Execution (I-PACE) model, whereby experiences of gratification received from binge-watching are associated with the behaviour
[20], therefore resulting in a lack of self-control and an increased duration of binge-watching than initially intended
[7]. However, as research in this area is still in its infancy, binge-watching has not yet been definitively established as an addictive behaviour
[21].
Understanding behavioural influences is central to implementing successful behavioural change
[22]. While technological advances, such as the auto-play function in streaming services, have been suggested to contribute to binge-watching
[23], disabling this feature failed to result in a decrease in binge-watching consumption. Therefore, there is a continued need to systematically understand binge-watching in order to suggest feasible and effective intervention strategies. The current review explores binge-watching through a behavioural change perspective using the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) framework and, relatedly, the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF)
[24]. The prior literature utilised the TDF to inform the development and implementation of different behavioural interventions, including decrease in substance use
[25] and alcohol consumption during pregnancy
[26], showcasing its applicability as a guide to intervention development, specifically to conduct a behavioural diagnosis of binge-watching.
The TDF provides a well-rounded understanding of the development of behavioural interventions
[27] by integrating core theoretical constructs from 83 behaviour change theories and summarising them into 14 domains (including Knowledge, Skills, Social Influences, and Behavioural Regulation, among others)
[24]. This allows researchers to comprehensively study the affective, cognitive, environmental, and social influences on behaviour in context
[22] and identify “categories of means by which an intervention can change behaviour”
[28]. Additionally, TDF domains can be directly mapped onto the Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy (BCTTv1) which is instrumental in the development of interventions from a behaviour change lens. Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs) are the “observable, replicable, and irreducible components of an intervention”
[24], or the “active ingredients” that can produce behavioural change. As such, pinpointing relevant BCTs for reducing binge-watching enables the identification of targeted intervention strategies to ensure successful behavioural change in this context
[29][30].
Given the adverse health consequences and concerns regarding the potentially addictive nature of binge-watching, summative evidence is required to develop interventions for reducing the escalation of this behaviour. To address this need, the present study aims to (i) gain a better understanding of the influences on binge-watching and (ii) use these findings to propose targeted intervention strategies to support the development of successful interventions. Through a rapid review of the research, the present study answers two research questions: (i) Using the TDF, what are the barriers and facilitators to binge-watching? and (ii) Using the BCTTv1, what BCTs can potentially reduce binge-watching?