Binge watching and its impact on depression, anxiety and stress among medical undergraduate students of a tertiary care teaching hospital, Tumkur: a cross-sectional study

Background: Binge-watching has emerged as a dominant media consumption behaviour among young adults, raising concerns about its potential impact on mental health. Medical undergraduate students represent a particularly vulnerable group due to academic stress and irregular lifestyle patterns. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of binge-watching and examine its association with depression, anxiety, and stress among medical undergraduate students of a tertiary care teaching hospital in South India. Methods: Authors conducted a cross-sectional study from April to June 2025 among 616 medical undergraduates using universal sampling. Sociodemographic data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Binge-watching behaviour was assessed using the validated Binge-Watching Addiction Questionnaire, and mental health outcomes were measured using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale–21. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, with odds ratios estimated through univariate and multivariable analyses using SPSS version 28. Results: Among 616 medical undergraduates, 487 (79.1%) reported non-problematic binge-watching, while 87 (14.1%) and 42 (6.8%) demonstrated moderate and problematic binge-watching, respectively. Moderate to extremely severe depression was observed in 340 students (55.2%), severe or extremely severe anxiety in 272 (44.2%), and moderate to extremely severe stress in 219 (35.6%). Binge-watching was common among medical students, and students with depression, anxiety, and stress had significantly higher odds of binge-watching compared to those without psychological distress. Students who engage in frequent or prolonged binge-watching may report higher levels of stress, disturbed sleep patterns, and reduced academic performance compared to those with controlled viewing habits Conclusion: Binge-watching was common among medical undergraduates and the study highlights a potential association between binge-watching and increased levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among medical undergraduate students underscoring the need for early identification and targeted mental health interventions in medical colleges.