TY - JOUR
T1 - Compensatory Usage of the Internet
T2 - The Case of Mukbang Watching on YouTube
AU - Kircaburun, Kagan
AU - Balta, Sabah
AU - Emirtekin, Emrah
AU - Tosuntaş, Şule Betül
AU - Demetrovics, Zsolt
AU - Griffiths, Mark D.
PY - 2021/4
Y1 - 2021/4
N2 - Objective Accumulating empirical research has emphasized that a wide range of online activities–such as using social networking sites–can be performed in order to compensate unattained needs or to cope with negative affect and psychopathological symptoms. Al-though the correlates of problematic social networking use have been extensively investigated, less is known about problematic YouTube use (PYU), an umbrella term grouping a number of different activities (e.g., viewing of online video games, watching specific YouTube channels). Furthermore, nothing is known concerning increasingly popular and distinct YouTube-related activities such as mukbang watching (i.e., watching livestream “eating broadcasts” where someone eats various foods in front of the camera while interacting with viewers). The aim of the present study was to examine the mediating role of problematic mukbang watching (PMW) on the relationships between depression and loneliness with PYU. Methods An online survey that comprised assessment tools for aforementioned variables was administered to 217 mukbang viewers (mean age=20.58 years, range 18–33 years). Results Results indicated that PMW was positively related to loneliness and PYU. Depression was positively and directly associated with PYU but was not associated with PMW. Conclusion Further research is required to better understand the psychological processes underlying problematic mukbang watching and its association with other mental health conditions (e.g., addictive disorders, eating disorders).
AB - Objective Accumulating empirical research has emphasized that a wide range of online activities–such as using social networking sites–can be performed in order to compensate unattained needs or to cope with negative affect and psychopathological symptoms. Al-though the correlates of problematic social networking use have been extensively investigated, less is known about problematic YouTube use (PYU), an umbrella term grouping a number of different activities (e.g., viewing of online video games, watching specific YouTube channels). Furthermore, nothing is known concerning increasingly popular and distinct YouTube-related activities such as mukbang watching (i.e., watching livestream “eating broadcasts” where someone eats various foods in front of the camera while interacting with viewers). The aim of the present study was to examine the mediating role of problematic mukbang watching (PMW) on the relationships between depression and loneliness with PYU. Methods An online survey that comprised assessment tools for aforementioned variables was administered to 217 mukbang viewers (mean age=20.58 years, range 18–33 years). Results Results indicated that PMW was positively related to loneliness and PYU. Depression was positively and directly associated with PYU but was not associated with PMW. Conclusion Further research is required to better understand the psychological processes underlying problematic mukbang watching and its association with other mental health conditions (e.g., addictive disorders, eating disorders).
KW - Compensatory usage of internet
KW - Internet use
KW - Loneliness
KW - Mukbang
KW - Problematic mukbang watching
KW - Problematic YouTube use
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85105390336&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.30773/PI.2019.0340
DO - 10.30773/PI.2019.0340
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85105390336
SN - 1738-3684
VL - 18
SP - 269
EP - 276
JO - Psychiatry Investigation
JF - Psychiatry Investigation
IS - 4
ER -