NIMHANS case study on binge-watching among elderly highlights need to promote behavioural strategies
The Hindu
‘A relatively sedentary way of life and its associated psychological factors among the elderly can make them vulnerable to technology misuse’
A NIMHANS case study published in the Journal of Geriatric Mental Health has provided insights into the motives of the elderly for binge-watching. It highlights the need to promote behavioural strategies for strengthening the healthy use of technology among the elderly, allowing them to age healthily with advancing technologies.
The Journal of Geriatric Mental Health is an official publication of the Indian Association of Geriatric Mental Health. The case study titled “Understanding geriatric binge-watching from a case-based perspective” published on January 20 illustrates the mediating role of psychological factors in binge-watching among the elderly as well as seeking consultation for its management.
Manoj Kumar Sharma, Professor at the Department of Clinical Psychology at NIMHANS, who is the lead author of the paper, told The Hindu that the relatively sedentary way of life and its associated psychological factors among the elderly can make them vulnerable to technology misuse and potential problematic binge-watching.
Dr. Sharma, who also heads the Service for Healthy Use of Technology (SHUT) Clinic at NIMHANS, said he has seen three such cases.
“In this paper, we describe the case of a 72-year-old male professional (living alone after separating from his wife) who sought help to manage problematic binge-watching of teleseries. The clinical evaluation highlighted the mediating role of motivation factors (need for self-absorbing activities, compensatory motivation to manage low mood and loneliness) in binge-watching.”
The association of binge-watching with loneliness and anxiety further contributes to increased binge-watching to overcome negative mood states, he said.
After 13 psychotherapy sessions, which also involved his wife for couple-coping enhancement, he showed a reduction in engagement with online self-absorbing activities and improvement in marital life, Dr. Sharma said.
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