Binging on the Heartbreak: The Effect of Binge-Watching on Narrative Engagement and Parasocial Breakups

Public Policy Relevance Statement Binge-watching is an increasingly common behavior as multiple TV programs move to video-on-demand services. The findings of this study suggest that binge-watching may not directly impact how individuals process narratives; however, connections with characters may lead to distress when the show is no longer on-air. The goal of this study was to explore how binge-watching may influence narrative engagement, both positive and negative parasocial relationships (PSRs), and, ultimately, parasocial breakups. Two experimental studies were conducted using identical methods but different samples. The results indicate that binge-watching did not appear to have a direct impact on narrative engagement, positive or negative PSR, or parasocial breakups. Furthermore, narrative engagement in both samples positively predicted positive and negative PSR. Positive PSR, as predicted, led to an increase in parasocial breakup distress. Surprisingly, in one sample, negative PSR also led to an increase in parasocial breakup distress. The results of both studies and their implications are discussed.