The relationship between binge-watching, compensatory health beliefs, and sleep

329 young adults participated in a cross-sectional survey study. The relationship between Compensatory Health Beliefs and sleep and the mediating effect of binge-watching was tested through mediation analysis. Other characteristics, of binge-watching were correlated to sleep outcome as well. The existing relationship between CHBs and sleep outcome does not seem to be influenced by binge-watching frequency. However, the CHBs on binge-watching that were developed for this study represent a possible relevant new subscale of the CHB questionnaire as it was the highest predictor of binge-watching frequency. Of the binge-watching characteristics nighttime binge-watching negatively influenced sleep quantity. Watching with others also had a negative effect on sleep quantity. The Compensatory Health Beliefs on binge-watching are a good predictor of binge-watching frequency and correlate with the other CHBs. CHBs and binge-watching do not predict sleep outcome sufficiently. Binge-watching during nighttime can lead to lower sleep quantity. Watching with others, especially with a friend or partner led to a lower sleep quality. However, as binge-watching frequency did not correlate with sleep outcome it is questionable whether the correlation of the other factors with sleep is caused by the binge-watching behavior.