Porcelain Publishing / BJBPR / Volume 1 / Issue 1 / DOI: 10.47297/ppibjbpr2025010105
ARTICLE

Role of Gratification, Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), and Self-control in Binge  Watching Behaviour (BWB)

Ganga Susheel Warriar1
Show Less
1 St. Francis Institute of Management and Research (Autonomous), Mumbai, India
© Invalid date by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
Abstract

Streaming content on screens has become a common practice today. With the advent of AI and nudging, it is easier to lure  viewers to continue watching the next episode or to opt for another program that aligns with their interests. Today, the media  industry can capitalize on our viewing activities through AI; data-driven techniques ensuring that viewers spend maximum time  on these platforms (Pilipets E. 2019) . This study investigates whether binge-watching is shared only amongst youngsters, as they  keep themselves updated with the latest trends and events in the media industry. The findings indicate a significant association  between gender and binge-watching behaviour, with higher levels of binge-watching observed amongst the age group 41 years and above. A sample of 149 respondents from the Mumbai region was studied. A model was developed to predict BWB  using FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), Gratification, and Self-control as independent variables. The results revealed a strong positive  correlation between binge-watching and FOMO (r = 0.61) and between binge-watching and gratification (r = 0.748). In contrast, a moderate negative correlation was found between self-control and binge-watching (r = -0.544). Self-control may not be the  primary factor influencing binge-watching habits. However, advancements in technology are anticipated to offer viewers even  more options. Therefore, adopting strategies such as self-discipline and self-restraint can help individuals manage short-term  temptations and maintain a balanced lifestyle.

Keywords
Binge-watching
FOMO (fear of missing out)
Self-control
Digital Media
Streaming
Gratification
Funding
This research received no external funding.
Conflict of interest
The author declares no conflicts of interest.
References

Pilipets E. (2019). From Netflix Streaming to Netflix and Chill: The (Dis)Connected Body of Serial Binge-Viewer. Social Media + Society, 5(4). doi.org/10.1177/2056305119883426

 

Petriuc, R., and Drugașa, M. I. (2024). When" the Next Episode" Is Too Much? Watching TV Series as a Non-Adaptive Coping Strategy. Psychological Thought, 14(1).

 

Starosta, J. A., and Izydorczyk, B. (2020). Understanding the phenomenon of binge-watching—a systematic review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(12), 4469.

 

Granow, V. C., Reinecke, L., and Ziegele, M. (2018). Binge-Watching and Psychological Well-Being: Media Use Between Lack of Control and Perceived Autonomy. Communication Research Reports, 35(5), 392–401. doi.org/10.1080/08824096.2018.1525347

 

Starosta, J. A., and Izydorczyk, B. (2020). Understanding the phenomenon of binge-watching—a systematic review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(12), 4469.

 

Alimoradi Z., Jafari E., Potenza M. N., Lin C.-Y., Wu C.-Y., and Pakpour A. H. (2022). Binge-watching and mental health problems: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(15), 9707. doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159707

 

Starosta, J. A., and Izydorczyk, B. (2020). Understanding the phenomenon of binge-watching—a systematic review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(12), 4469.

 

Starosta, J. A., and Izydorczyk, B. (2020). Understanding the phenomenon of binge-watching—a systematic review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(12), 4469.

 

Pittman M., and Sheehan K. (2015). Sprinting a media marathon: Uses and gratifications of binge-watching television through Netflix. First 71Monday, 20(10). doi.org/10.5210/fm.v20i10.6138

 

Granow, V. C., Reinecke, L., and Ziegele, M. (2018). Binge-Watching and Psychological Well-Being:

Media Use Between Lack of Control and Perceived Autonomy. Communication Research Reports, 35(5), 392–401. doi.org/10.1080/08824096.2018.1525347

 

Adnan, K., Yasir, A., and Baloch, M. (2024). Binge-watching Netflix in Pakistan: Factors and Psychological Impacts on University Students in Lahore. Journal of Peace, Development and Communication, 8(2), 364–376. doi.org/10.36968/JPDC-V08-I02-27

 

Alimoradi Z., Jafari E., Potenza M. N., Lin C.-Y., Wu C.-Y., and Pakpour A. H. (2022). Binge-watching and mental health problems: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(15), 9707. doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159707

 

Bishorjit Singh L., S, H., Thangjam, D., and Nigthoujam, H.L. (2022). Factors Motivating Binge-Watching of TV Series Among College Students. Shanlax International Journal of Management.

 

Lades L.K., Barbett L., Daly M., and Dombrowski S.U. (2022). Self-control, goal interference, and the binge-watching experience: An event reconstruction study. Computers in Human Behavior Reports.

 

Subramanian A., Seetharaman A., and Maddulety K. (2020). Critical Review of Binge Watching Behaviour through the Prism of Vroom's Expectancy Theory. Academy of Marketing Studies Journal.

 

Rubenking, B., and Bracken, C. C. (2018). Binge-Watching: A Suspenseful, Emotional, Habit. Communication Research Reports, 35(5), 381–391. https://doi.org/10.1080/08824096.2018.1525346

 

Conlin L.; Billings A.; Auverset L. Time-shifting vs. appointment viewing: The role of fear of missing out within TV consumption behaviours. Commun. Soc. 2016, 29, 151–164.

 

Pittman M., and Sheehan K. (2015). Sprinting a media marathon: Uses and gratifications of binge-watching television through Netflix. First Monday, 20(10). doi.org/10.5210/fm.v20i10.6138

 

Duckworth A., Grant H., Loew B., Oettingen G., and Gollwitzer P. (2011). Self-regulation strategies improve self-discipline in adolescents: Benefits of mental contrasting and implementation intentions. Educational Psychology, 31(1), 17 – 26. doi. org/10.1080/01443410.2010.506003

 

Przybylski A. K., Murayama K., DeHaan C. R., and Gladwell V. (2013). Motivational, emotional, and behavioral correlates of fear of missing out. Computers in human behavior, 29(4), 1841-1848.

 

Elhai J. D., Levine J. C., Dvorak R. D., and Hall B. J. (2016). Fear of missing out, need for touch, anxiety and depression are related to problematic smartphone use. Computers in Human Behavior, 63, 509–516. doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.05.079

 

Katz, E., Blumler, J. G., and Gurevitch, M. (1973). Uses and gratifications research. Public Opinion Quarterly, 37(4), 509-523. doi.org/10.1086/268109

 

Ruggiero, T. E. (2000). Uses and Gratifications Theory in the 21st Century. Mass Communication and Society, 3(1), 3-37. doi. org/10.1207/s15327825mcs0301_02

 

Papacharissi, Z., and Mendelson, A. L. (2007). An Exploratory Study of Reality Appeal: Uses and Gratifications of Reality TV Shows. Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media, 51(2), 355–370. doi.org/10.1080/08838150701307152

 

Papacharissi, Z., and Mendelson, A. L. (2007). An Exploratory Study of Reality Appeal: Uses and Gratifications of Reality TV Shows. Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media, 51(2), 355–370.

 

Adnan, K., Yasir, A., and Baloch, M. (2024). Binge-watching Netflix in Pakistan: Factors and Psychological Impacts on University Students in Lahore. Journal of Peace, Development and Communication, 8(2), 364–376. doi.org/10.36968/JPDC-V08-I02-27

 

Lades L.K., Barbett L., Daly M., and Dombrowski S.U. (2022). Self-control, goal interference, and the binge-watching experience: An event reconstruction study. Computers in Human Behavior Reports.

 

Starosta, J. A., and Izydorczyk, B. (2020). Understanding the phenomenon of binge-watching—a systematic review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(12), 4469.

 

Moffitt T. E., Arseneault L., Belsky D., Caspi A., and others. (2011). A gradient of childhood self-control predicts health, wealth, and public safety. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(7), 2693–2698. doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1010076108

 

Starosta, J. A., and Izydorczyk, B. (2020). Understanding the phenomenon of binge-watching—a systematic review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(12), 4469.

Share
Back to top
British Journal of Business and Psychology Research, Electronic ISSN: 2977-8875 Published by Porcelain Publishing