Binge TV-watching is associated with loneliness and depression, a study has shown.

研究發現，沉迷于電視與孤獨和抑郁有關。

Those who spend hours immersed in back-to-back episodes of their favourite TV series really are likely to be sad, according to the findings.

根據這項發現，長時間沉溺于他們喜愛的電視劇的人確實更容易悲傷。

US scientists at the University of Texas, Austin, asked 316 young people aged 18 to 29 how often they indulged in TV marathons and how frequently they felt lonely or depressed.

美國德克薩斯大學奧斯丁分校的科學家們，調查了316名18到29歲年輕人看電視的頻率，以及感到孤獨和抑郁的頻繁程度。

They found that the more lonely or depressed the participants were, the more likely they were to binge-watch in order to escape feeling low.

他們發現參與者越孤獨抑郁，他們越可能沉迷于電視，逃避這種負面情緒。

The results, presented at the International Communication Association’s annual meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico, also showed that people lacking the ability to control themselves tended to binge-watch.

這項在波多黎各圣胡安的國際通信協會年會上發布的研究結果還顯示，人們缺少防止沉迷電視的自控能力。

Study leader Yoon Hi Sung said: “Even though some people argue that binge-watching is a harmless addiction, findings from our study suggest that binge-watching should no longer be viewed this way.

研究負責人宋希允說：“盡管一些人認為沉迷電視是無害的嗜好，但我們的發現表明，沉溺于電視不應長期如此看待。”

“Physical fatigue and problems such as obesity and other health problems are related to binge-watching and they are a cause for concern. When binge-watching becomes rampant, viewers may start to neglect their work and their relationships with others.

“身體疲勞和肥胖及其他健康問題相關的問題，與沉溺于電視相關，這是值得關注的一個原因。當對電視的沉迷變得無法控制時，電視迷們開始忽視他們的工作以及和別人的關系。”

“Even though people know they should not, they have difficulty resisting the desire to watch episodes continuously.

“就算人們知道他們不該這樣，他們已很難抵抗不斷追劇的渴望了。”

“Our research is a step towards exploring binge-watching as an important media and social phenomenon.”

“把沉迷于電視作為一種重要的媒體和社會現象進行探索，我們的研究邁進了一步。”

Vocabulary

immerse: 沉浸

obesity: 肥胖

rampant: 猖獗的

continuously: 連續不斷的

（譯者：無事此靜坐 編輯：王偉）